N.B. opposition leaders support new pool project, but Holt says cost details needed

Leaders of New Brunswick's Liberal and Green parties say they'd support the City of Fredericton's plan to build a new aquatic centre, if elected to power in this fall's provincial election.

But Liberal Leader Susan Holt said any specifics on how much financial support her government would be willing to offer depends on where the final price tag lands.

"I need to see the numbers," said Holt, in an interview Tuesday.

"The City of Fredericton hasn't delivered a specific dollars-and-cents ask or planbut we've been supportive of the project for six years now, and I would love to see the dollars and cents on where it stands nowbut we are committed to working with the City of Fredericton."

WATCH | Holt promises support for new pool, but wants to see specifics on project cost:

Liberal leader pledges support for Fredericton pool project if elected premier

15 days ago

Duration 1:10

Liberal Leader Susan Holt says her party would financially support Fredericton's push to build a new aquatic centre if it wins the election this fall.

Green Party Leader David Coon was unavailable for an interview, but in a statement said he has been a "tenacious supporter" of a regional aquatic centre in Fredericton.

"I would ensure the province pays its share of the investment required to have a 50 m pool in what I see as the hub for recreational and competitive aquatics in New Brunswick," Coon said.

CBC News asked the Progressive Conservative Party forits stance on financially supporting the construction of a new aquatic centre in Fredericton, but did not receive a response before deadline.

The pledges from the Liberals and Greens come after Fredericton city councilagreed Monday to write letters to the provincial party leaders detailing what they'd like to see from the next provincial government, ahead of this fall's election.

High up on that wish list is financial support for a new aquatic centre, which would replace the University of New Brunswick's aging Sir Max Aitken Pool.

Members of Fredericton's swimming community have asked for years for the new facilitybut progress has been slow, with neither federal, nor provincial funding commitments for its construction.

In June, support from those two levels of government became more important, after mayors representing the surrounding municipalities voted against financialsupport forthe projectduring a meeting of the Capital Regional Service Commission's board of directors.

Speaking after Monday's council meeting, Fredericton Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike acknowledged how that vote now makes the city more reliant on other levels of government.

"It'sdetermined thatit's not going to be a regional asset, so that leaves it up to Fredericton," she said.

Latest cost estimate nearly4 years old

The city plans to build the 10-lane, 25-metre pool alongside the Grant-Harvey Centre on Knowledge Park Drive.

So far, a feasibility study has been done,and last year the city, province and Ottawa came together to fund a $1.2-million design phase.

However, the latest cost estimate for the entire project comes from the November 2020 feasibility study, which pegged it at almost$40 million, including $8 million in contingency costs.

CBC News asked for an interview with the city Tuesday, but spokesperson Shasta Stairs said Mayor Kate Rogers was unavailable.

A new performing arts centre, Fredericton's other key capital priority, saw significant increases to its estimated completion cost.

Originally expected to cost$45 million, when first pitched in 2018, the arts centre which will be built at the southwestern corner of King and Regent streets is now expected to cost$81 million, with the city citing arise in the costof labour and materials.