Harrison Village Facts

Harrison Village Facts

Mayor Releases Details on Proposed Lets'emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre Partnership

On July 30, 2026, Mayor Fred Talen released a public statement outlining the proposal that had been under discussion between the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the District of Kent regarding a regional partnership for the Lets'emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre.

According to the Mayor's statement, the proposal included:

• A 20-year agreement with the District of Kent.

• A $1.85 million capital contribution from Harrison Hot Springs (approximately $2.65 million including financing).

• Operating contributions of $100,000 per year, increasing annually with inflation (estimated at approximately $2.5 million over 20 years).

• Representation on an Aquatic Centre advisory committee.

• Harrison residents paying the same user fees and receiving the same access as Kent residents.

Estimated Tax Impact

The statement estimates the proposal would result in approximately an 8% increase in municipal taxes, or about $170 annually for a residential property assessed at $1 million.

Why Council Is Not Proceeding at This Time

The Mayor cites several reasons for advising the District of Kent that the Village will not advance the proposal this summer:

• Limited administrative capacity.

• Significant upcoming investments in Village-owned infrastructure.

• The need to consider these priorities during development of future financial plans.

• The financial impact of the estimated 8% tax increase.

The Village has invited the District of Kent to revisit the discussion following the October 2026 local government election if the District still wishes to pursue a regional partnership.

Elector Approval

The Mayor's statement also notes that a financial commitment of this nature would require elector approval under provincial legislation, likely through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP).

Timeline Questions

The statement answers many questions about the proposal itself. It also raises several questions that residents may wish to understand:

• When were the financial terms first presented to Council?

• At what stage did negotiations reach this level of detail?

• When did Council determine that an AAP would be required?

• Could more information have been shared publicly as discussions progressed?

Understanding the timeline helps residents better understand not only the final decision, but also how that decision developed.

Source: Mayor Fred Talen – Lets'emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre Regional Partnership Update, July 30, 2026.