A new indoor recreation facility in Saugeen Shores can safely expect to sell thousands of memberships.
Council has received the results of a market research study, which looked into the viability of a new recreation facility, primarily focusing around a new indoor pool.
The study found between 2,300 and 3,000 adult and family memberships could conservatively be expected if the facility is built and potentially operated by the YMCA.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said it's a good step to have numbers to back up the demand for a new pool to replace the 45-year old Port Elgin Centennial Pool.
"It gives us a data set to use to plan with, to do a business plan going forward, to develop that rec. centre that we all want to build as a community," said Charbonneau. "So I think it gets us another step down the road toward completing that vision."
Deputy Mayor Don Matheson said he was left wanting more answers than he got, pointing out the data is there, but there's still no recommendation as to whether the municipality should partner with the YMCA or go it alone.
"I want the best building in this community, that's going to bring in the most people and provide the best opportunities, whether it's the Y or not," said Matheson. "No, I didn't get the answers I was looking for, I read [the report] over three times, it's data, and data can mean just about anything you want it to mean, so it can be moved back and forth."
Municipal staff are expected to table reports next month on the next steps for the indoor recreation centre proposal.