The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) expects construction of the Sechelt aquatic facility to begin in the next few weeks and the Gibsons ice-based community centre construction to start in early June, according to an SCRD public memo. The target dates are subject to final design approvals, permits and servicing agreements.
The SCRD has laid out the elements of each project it will include within each facility's budget - $10,349,000 for the aquatic centre and $12,389,800 for the community centre. Architects are now preparing detailed construction drawings for the aquatic centre, and the community centre design is also being prepared.
The 1,899 square metre aquatic facility will include a 25-metre, six-lane pool, a therapeutic leisure pool, sauna, steam bath, swirl pool, one-metre diving board, spectator viewing, a waterslide, a climbing wall, a 225 square metre fitness area that could expand to 360 square metres, and community space. The pool system will be salt chlorination with UV secondary, states the memo.
The Gibsons community centre will include an NHL arena with 400 seats, four team change rooms, two multi-purpose change rooms, an expandable 315 square metre fitness centre, two racquet courts, seniors' room, family room, youth centre, community kitchen and the Town of Gibsons' skateboard park on the site in Brothers Park.
At its March 9 meeting, the SCRD board approved the town's recommendation to situate the building on the west side of the park. SCRD directors also made some decisions about Gibsons and Area Community Centre Society (GACCS) fundraising this week during one of its corporate services committee budget meeting. The recommendation will go for approval to the March 23 SCRD board meeting. The recommendation states "that the SCRD recognize the Gibsons and Area Community Centre Society (GACCS) as a fundraising group for both the Sechelt aquatic centre and the Gibsons and area community centre; that the financial parameters be set at 15 per cent for any cash contributions, plus the title sponsorship program that is specifically earmarked to cover the cost of the legacy program; that staff be requested to prepare an agreement between GACCS and the SCRD for consideration by the board; and further that this motion not include in kind contributions at this time." SCRD community services manager Paul Fenwick said the legacy program would recognize donors through displays such as plaques on the walls at the centres.
