Pools are the most costly recreation and sport facilities to construct and operate. Municipalities and other pool owner/ operators accept that pools (because of energy and maintenance costs) will generate a deficit. There is a significant capital outlay and estimates in 2009 indicated that construction costs were $450.00 per square foot. Owner/ Operators must plan for capital costs overtime and municipalities utilize various funding sources and often a combination thereof. It would be prudent for the working group to understand the funding sources, what rests in reserves and in Development Charges funding to be dedicated to the development of aquatic facilities.

Capital Reserve Funds
Municipalities develop long range capital plans that evaluate what capital projects require funding over time and set about to put funding away in advance in reserve funds. Annual reviews and prioritization assists in the development of annual plans for specific projects that will draw down on these funds.

Development Charges
The Development Charges Act allows municipalities and school boards to levy developments for the costs to service new residents housed within the housing projects. There are very stringent guidelines and new development must mirror existing levels of service.

Infrastructure Funding
From time to time the three levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal) participate equally in funding new facility development and the refurbishment of aging plants. It should be noted that infrastructure funding is not offered to owner/operators on an ongoing basis and is often limited to a finite window of opportunity. The current infrastructure project funding is stipulated to be spent by the spring of 2011 and was offered in early 2009.

Debentures
Municipalities have an opportunity to debenture the cost of capital projects over time. The carrying costs of debenturing would need to be added to the total cost of the project.

Sponsorship and Fund Development
Some communities have been very successful with fund development and sponsorship programs to assist in offsetting the capital costs of constructing swimming pools and other recreational amenities. In some cases the municipality will cover the costs of the capital program upfront with a commitment of the community groups to pay the debt back over an agreed to number of years.