A decision on the fate of aquatics in Saugeen Shores is expected later this year.
Council passed a motion asking staff to come up with a process that will allow council to update past studies that have looked at the condition of the 40-year old Port Elgin Centennial Pool, as well as renovation and new build options.
The motion also sets a deadline of August 1st for council to make a decision on the future of its pool.
Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau says he's happy to see council making small steps on the pool issue after years of indecision, pointing out last fall's municipal election helped move the issue along after it became a major campaign topic.
Charbonneau says they need to get the past studies updated before a decision can be made, with the most recent study being nearly five years old.
"We need to bring those numbers up-to-date, think about all the things that went into those reports. Do we have enough public consultation? You know, all those things, come up with a good process and hopefully move to making some good decisions in the next six months," says Charbonneau.
The Saugeen Shores New Pool Action Group has been lobbying council for well over a year to take steps to have a shovel-ready plan for a new pool in case federal or provincial funding comes available.
Former Olympic swimmer David Shemilt is a spokesperson for the group and says he's worried council has waited so long to make a decision on the pool, they may have to spend more than a million dollars on the Centennial Pool just to keep it functioning in the meantime.
He says the pool dehumidification system is well beyond its life expectancy.
"It's gone on so long, we are almost coming to a default decision where we're going to be forced to make a significant investment in the air handling system. It's still functional, we just don't know at what point it's going to fail," says Shemilt.
Shemilt says his group is more than willing to help with fundraising efforts for a new pool, but adds he needs firm direction from council before going to the public to ask for money.