Kerry Park pool plan deeply sunk during Saturday's referendum
Clare Langley of Malahat places her voting slip into the ballot box for the pool referendum at Frances Kelsey secondary on Saturday.
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Updated: November 22, 2009 9:44 AM
South Cowichanians resoundingly rejected a new Kerry Park pool during Saturday’s south-end referendum.
Preliminary results posted by chief election officer Kathleen Harrison show about 63 per cent of the ballots cast said ‘No’ to a $25-million proposal that would also have upgraded the aging Kerry Park rec centre.
Those preliminary counts showed 1,743 folks in favour of borrowing the dough for the project while 2,956 nixed the plan.
Tallies show decreasing support the farther traveled north.
Mill Bay/Malahat folks (Area A) said ‘Yes’ 442 times versus 574 people not wanting the project to proceed.
Shawnigan Lakers in Area B cast 660 votes in favour compared to 865 against.
Cobble Hill residents (Area C) logged the largest objection with 338 saying ‘Yes’ against 1,027 "No"s.
It was the same story in advance balloting when 303 supported the pool plans versus 490 who rejected it.
Former Mill Bay director Mike Walker called the convincing rejection “a whomp.”
All south-Cowichan directors were unavailable for comment late Saturday night.
Saturday’s rejection means south Cowichan swimmers will continue paying more to use Cowichan Aquatic Centre near Duncan, under the current two-tier fee system.
Cowichan Bay, which opted out of Saturday's referendum, recently cast their cash into the Duncan/North Cowichan tank, a decision that could be reversed subject to a counter-petition process.
For reaction to the vote, check back with cowichannewsleader.com, or read Wednesday's News Leader Pictorial.
