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.
