The city could soon be without one of its public pools.

On Monday evening, the committee of the whole voted in favour of a motion that would see the city end its licence agreement with the Upper Grand District School Board to operate Centennial Pool, with a staff report citing the facility’s poor condition.

The vote was 7-4, with councillors Cathy Downer, Christine Billings, James Gordon and Mike Salisbury against. Councillors Bob Bell and Leanne Piper were absent.

Following a building-condition assessment, the city determined it would cost $1.2 million to upgrade the mechanical equipment and make necessary improvements to meet accessibility standards at the building.

If approved by council at the end of the month, the agreement would end on Jan. 4, 2020. Originally, the five-year agreement would expire March 31, 2021. The city has had an agreement with the school board in place since the pool opened in 1967.

Downer, who represents the ward in which Centennial Pool sits, said the pool’s closure would leave those who use the pool scrambling for more distant options.

“There are people who use this pool because it is close and convenient to them, which is part of what we want to do with our community facilities,” Downer said, adding a closure would leave the city with two public pools “on the outskirts of our community.”

While the city would only have two public pools should Centennial close, a third one would come online in the years ahead when the South End Community Centre opens.

However, as the money to build the new rec centre hasn't seen budgetary approval — it is anticipated to come forward in 2020 budget discussions later this year — it's not known how long it would take until the first swimmers dip their toes in that pool.

On Monday, city staff said pending council approval, work could begin as early as next year.