Council Changes Direction on Crystal Pool Project, Nov. 22
City Council decided on a change in direction regarding the Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project. The City will now move forward with exploring the potential to build a new, larger project on the parking lot of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Staff will also complete the design development work for the current project, planned for the southwest corner of Central Park. Council reaffirmed their support for replacing the Crystal Pool facility with a modern centre that will meet the needs of all ages and abilities as well as meet climate leadership goals, and to avoid a closure of the existing facility. The new proposed location would result in increased green space in Central Park and offer opportunities to include more community amenities as part of the project. The City will continue to explore all potential funding sources to create a project that will serve the community for generations to come. Council made an additional decision regarding the Royal Athletic Park parking lot. The City will explore opportunities that may exist for affordable housing, park space, child care, parking and other complementary uses. The project team will immediately begin planning for this new direction. The project principles which have guided the work completed over the last two years with the community will help to inform the new project. The City will continue to explore all potential funding sources to create a project that will serve the community for generations to come. Read more on the motion here.
Committee of the Whole: Check-in, November 15
At its Committee of the Whole meeting on Nov. 15, Victoria City Council discussed the next steps in moving the Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project forward. Since the last project update to Council, members of the community brought forward suggestions for incorporating additional elements into the project, such as affordable housing, child care and other community amenities in a location outside of Central Park.
After considering a number of options, Council directed staff to continue to move forward with the current plan to construct the new facility in the southwest corner of Central Park and prepare an application for federal-provincial funding under the Investing in Canada fund. As well, Council directed staff and the Mayor to meet with the operators of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre to explore the possibility of redeveloping the arena parking lot to accommodate the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre facility and affordable housing. Staff will report back regarding the Royal Athletic Park as a potential site for a future affordable housing project, including child care and other amenities. These recommendations will be considered for adoption by Council at the November 22 Council Meeting.
City awarded $1 Million Accessibility Grant
The City of Victoria acknowledges the support of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. As part of Jumpstart’s Play Finds A Way movement, a $50-million fundraising commitment to removing accessibility barriers to sport and play, Jumpstart Accessibility Grants support capital costs of construction and renovations to improve physical accessibility to and inclusivity in recreation facilities.
In July 2018, the City was awarded $1 Million from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities towards the Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project. The funding will be applied to features such as lifts for pool tanks, fully accessible change areas, as well as adaptive sport and fitness equipment, to make the facility accessible to residents of all abilities.
Contract for Design of Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Project Awarded to Victoria Firm
HCMA Architecture + Design has been awarded the contract to provide architectural and engineering services for the Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project. HCMA will lead the next phase of planning for the new facility, which includes further community engagement to develop a detailed design and construction schedule. The HCMA consultant team has extensive experience in designing environmentally-sustainable, accessible and inclusive recreation facilities. Notable projects include the City of Vancouver’s Hillcrest Centre and the City of Surrey’s Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre, which has recently won awards for accessibility, design and structural excellence. The firm is currently operating from coast to coast, completing community, recreation and sport facilities across Canada.
Project Gets $6 Million Boost from Federal Gas Tax Fund
The City of Victoria has received conditional approval of $6 million in Federal Gas Tax Funding to support the Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre Replacement Project. The City has already committed $10 million to the project and is actively seeking further funding through federal-provincial infrastructure programs, as well as other partners. In accordance with Victoria’s commitment to climate action, the new centre will use energy efficient technology to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by more than 33 per cent. This investment in public recreation will have long-term positive impacts on the health and wellness of the community.
Rick Hansen Foundation Joins Project Team
The City is partnering with the Rick Hansen Foundation to ensure Victoria’s new aquatic and wellness centre is designed with accessibility as a high priority. The City is pursuing Gold certification under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ program for the new building. An Accessibility Specialist from the Rick Hansen Foundation will provide input through all phases of the project, from detailed design to construction and opening. The guidance and support from experts at the Rick Hansen Foundation, Recreation Integration Victoria and other community stakeholders is important to ensure the facility is barrier-free and welcoming for all.
Quarterly Update Showcases Latest Designs Based on Public Input
The project team presented the schematic designs for Victoria’s new aquatic and wellness centre to Victoria City Council as part of its regular project update on July 19. Plans for the new barrier-free, inclusive, high-quality recreation centre have been refined based on technical analysis and input received from residents during this latest phase of public engagement. Read the Council report here.
