City councillor says donors 'willing to step up' for Wascana Pool elevator

Terina Nelson said she’s already heard from interested private donors willing to help “bring the project to life,” but only if the city takes on a share of the costs.

Published Apr 09, 2024 • 3 minute read

City Councillor Terina Nelson (Ward 7) stands beside the outdoor waterslides at Wascana Pool as she advocates for building an accessible elevator to the slide on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

In light of strong public passion and interest from private donors to pitch in, two city councillors say they will push once again for elevator access to Wascana Pool’s tallest waterslide.

Councillors Terina Nelson (Ward 7) and Dan LeBlanc (Ward 6) have crafted a motion for Wednesday’s city council meeting that asks the city to commit in principal to $300,000 in capital funding for an elevator. It also seeks to issue tenders for estimates lower than the $1 million previously quoted to administration.

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If quotes come back over budget, the motion directs the city to wait for other sources of funding, like public donations, to pursue the project.

Nelson said she’s already heard from interested private donors willing to help “bring the project to life,” but only if the city takes on a share of the costs.

“They’re saying, there was an allocation of a certain amount of money for this elevator and if we put that back, then they’d raise the rest,” Nelson said in an interview Tuesday. “Donors are definitely willing to step up.”

The pitch is a last-ditch effort to save the elevator — a desired accessibility upgrade to a new city facility touted as being extensively inclusive in its design — from being shelved indefinitely.

It was first approved last March at a cost of $500,000, which accounts for all of the capital funds in the Adapted Recreation Plan for 2024.

Plans were tabled by executive committee two weeks ago in an amended motion that chose to reallocate the money to accessibility upgrades at five other city-operated facilities instead.

The consensus view was that the cost was too much for just one project. When surveyed, members of the disabled community largely agreed, but “recognized that choosing one priority over another is choosing one person’s needs over another’s.”

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“Disabled folks are so often asked to choose between bread and roses,” said LeBlanc on Tuesday. “I think there’s a stinginess to it, to put it to them. It’s a difficult choice.

“It seems to me that it’s not for able-bodied counsellors like myself to out-of-hand reject something fun for the disabled community without giving it serious consideration,” he added.

Councillor Dan LeBlanc poses for a photo at city hall on Monday, January 23, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

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Nelson said she’s heard “a lot of support from people all over Canada” since budget talks for the idea took place, several who have indicated a willingness to fundraise if the city won’t commit.

Potential investors have asked to remain anonymous until the future is more clear, but Nelson said they are “relatively local,” some “from out of town,” and all “very serious” about the offer.

“They were really excited about this being here in Regina, so they can come here and go to the waterslides,” she said.

If built, the outdoor elevator would be a first of its kind in Canada, and potentially North America.

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“This is about the community and the people in the community,” Nelson said. “I just want everybody to enjoy that beautiful Wascana Pool.”

Public contributions to city initiatives are possible, according to the City of Regina’s donation policy. Donations up to $100,000 may be accepted; any amount greater must be approved by city council.

“The vehicle or means used to raise these funds for donation would be up to the person or organization wishing to make the donation,” the city said in an emailed statement.

Nelson said despite the frustrating back-and-forth over the elevator’s future, it has created positive awareness about designing public spaces more inclusively.

A recommendation coming to the floor Wednesday asks that an elevator be included in the design for the new aquatic centre to replace the Lawson, which Nelson felt was a great outcome of the debate.

“The clear message tomorrow is that we know this is possible, and we just want people to start thinking that way,” she said.

Following through with the commitment to at least consider the elevator at Wascana Pool is necessary to prove the city recognizes and works for all voices in the community, LeBlanc said.

“I hope the motion passes, because it … does further dialogue between the city’s elected (officials) and staff, and the disabled community,” he added. ” It strikes the right balance between something fun for people of all abilities as being actually important, and that the city has a limited ability to spend.”

The outdoor waterslides at Wascana Pool on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

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