The following is a statement from Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor in response to criticism that has been expressed about the municipality's involvement with the Scotia Pool:
From recent newspaper articles and correspondence, it is good to see that a number of residents of Bible Hill and area are enjoying Scotia Pool and are so passionate about keeping it open.
There is no doubt that Scotia Pool has serviced its patrons well for the past 13 years. This is very satisfying to those of us that have worked hard to have the pool re-opened and supported over those years.
Colchester County council has been the main funding partner of Scotia Pool for all of its years of operation. Colchester's annual contribution started with $50,000 in 1999 and has grown to $100,000 per year over the past few years. This funding will continue until December 2012. In total, Colchester has contributed approximately $1.1 million.
When the new civic centre was in the planning stage, it made a lot of sense to include two pools that would replace the two aging pools in the community. Both pools have been expensive for both the county and province to operate.
The new facility will have the ability to operate much more efficiently with green technology, synergies between the ice surface and the pools, and geo-thermal heating/cooling.
The construction of this new facility is a financially responsible move by the county and Town of Truro by providing an amazing facility that will operate efficiently for many years to come.
When the civic centre planning started four years ago, both Scotia Pool and Centennial Pool operators were made aware that county and provincial funding for these two facilities would cease once the civic centre opened.
A few months ago, after being approached by a number of Scotia Pool users, the Village of Bible Hill took on the task of trying to keep Scotia Pool operating after the civic centre opening and the county funding ceased. It appeared that the village had reached an agreement with the Department of Agriculture to operate Scotia Pool for another year.
The County of Colchester has worked with the Scotia Pool Society, and through it's major financial commitment, has enabled the pool to operate for the past 13 years.
Scotia Pool Society plans to wrap up the society in December 2012.
It is now up to the Village of Bible Hill to live up to it's promise to the Scotia Pool supporters to continue to operate Scotia Pool.
