The Burns Lake Swimming Pool Society have $50,000 tucked away in a bank account and time is ticking.
The funds have sat dormant for a number of years. Frits Goossen, society president said that due to stipulations in the society act, something needs to be done with the money before it is forfeited to the Government.
"If this happens, I doubt the money will stay in Burns Lake," he said.
The society's annual general meeting will be held on Dec. 13 and Goossen said the public are invited to attend.
"We have to decide if the society will keep going or if we will use the funds for another purpose," he said.
According to Goossen, if the decision is made to shut the society down, there are a few options for the money.
Goossen said he has already been approached by the Burns Lake Medical Clinic Society who would like to put the money towards their proposed non-profit medical clinic. As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Dec. 1, 2011 the society need $150,000 to $200,00 in start up costs to open the clinic. They hope to accomplish their fundraising goal by Feb. 1, 2012.
Another option that will be discussed at the meeting will be putting the money towards the Lakes District Hospital replacement project.
Goossen said if the money is to go towards a new hospital he would like to see some stipulations.
"I would like to make sure that the money is used properly ... why should we trust Northern Health? My personal opinion as far as donating the money for a new hospital is that there would have to be a guarantee of two operating rooms."
He said two operating rooms would benefit the both the community and medical personnel.
"A surgeon could work in one operating room and when his work is all done he could move to the next patient in the second operating room. Having two operating rooms will not waste patient's time or the doctors."
He said a hospital should be run for profit and not as an expense.
"Those in charge are bean counters and they don't look at a hospital as a profit maker and this is why it's all going down the tubes. Those that run everything make sure that they get the biggest amount in wages and bonuses and there's none for the facilities. A hospital should be a money maker."
If the money is to be used for the non profit clinic, Goossen said the society will also have to decide if it would be a loan, or a grant.
"We will have to talk about that."
He said the money was donated and raised by local residents and ideally the money would be used towards a recreation centre with an indoor pool as originally intended.
As for the cost of a new recreation centre Goossen estimates a price tag of between $10 million upwards of $42 million.
"If we are looking at a multiplex with an indoor running track we would be looking at $42 million dollars."
He said if the decision is made to proceed with plans for the recreation centre and pool the society will look for business and government grants and fundraise in the community.
"Without a swimming pool, the arts and an indoor running track for track and field events, we as a society are not going to grow. Burns Lake will be just a stepping stone. People will eventuality move elsewhere, somewhere there is culture. My three kids are gone. They are not living in Burns Lake and I am not the only one. There is nothing in Burns Lake for them. They have moved to Edmonton and Calgary and as far as I am concerned these are not ideal places to raises a family. If we don't do something this town is going to die. If we are going to be honest .... I would say it's already dead."
Goossen said a recreation centre would breath life back into Burns Lake. Summer and winter games could be hosted locally as well as conventions.
"Burns Lake would be able to be the centre of attention for any deal," he said. The dollars will go to whatever people decide and without support the society will come to an end."
Goossen said he has been responsible for filing the papers every year to keep the society alive but because of medical issues he is unable to continue.
"If the society goes defunct the money will be gone. This meeting is definitely do or die for the society," he added.
The Swimming Pool Society annual general meeting will be held on Dec. 13, 2011 at 5 p.m. in room 202 at the College of New Caledonia Lakes District campus.