Four months after the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus learned it would be a host site of the 2015 Pan American Games, students are heading to the polls to determine the fate of the $140 million Olympic-sized pool required for competition.

According to the Scarborough Campus’ Student Union, from March 17-19 UTSC students will face a referendum asking them if they agree to a levy on tuition fees to support the construction of the recreation complex.

The proposed levy would add $80 a year to full-time student tuition until 2014. The levy will then increase to $280 for another 21 years once the facility is available to students.

The remaining cost of the facility, if built at UTSC, will be covered by the federal and provincial governments as well as the PanAm Games Committee. The university is responsible for $30 million, $22 million of which will be paid by students if the referendum passes.

“This is truly a tremendous opportunity for our campus and our university as a whole,” said John Kapageridis, president of the Scarborough College Athletic Association (SCAA). “The benefits of this facility will be felt not only by athletes, but by all students, staff, and faculty of this campus.”

He said the facility would create more student space on campus and expedite plans to expand transit services in Scarborough.

Although some students will graduate before the complex is open to the public, Emily Kakouris, a third-year student on the SCAA, said students who pay a levy to contribute to pool construction would receive a dollar-for-dollar discount on alumni memberships that give them access to university facilities.

Despite the benefits the pool will bring to campus, there is some concern about the cost incurred on students.

“To saddle [students] with a 25-year debt for a two-week sporting event is absolutely outrageous,” said Yolisa Dalamba, executive director for the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students.

She said she thinks a “no” vote will encourage the university to cover more of the cost, creating a win-win situation for all.

If the referendum fails and the university does not re-evaluate its financing plans, the facility will be built elsewhere.

Kapageridis other locations, in particular the Town of Markham, Ont. will be quick to place bids.

“They’re just essentially waiting for us,” Kapageridis said. “The moment our referendum goes sour, Markham is going to build the very next day.”