After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and more planning, the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) is set to break ground in the fall.
The Loon Foundation, the organization behind the “innovative marine research centre, educational facility, and tourist destination,” has hired Sechelt-based Spani Developments for construction management.
Loon Foundation executive director Michael Jackson says there are a few “bits and pieces” to get in order and a building permit to be obtained ahead of groundbreaking, “but we’re certainly on track, which is exciting. It’s been a long time.”
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed back PODS’s timeline but also had the foundation re-examining the design.
“We’re not immune to worldwide economics,” said Jackson. “And the costs of materials shot through the roof during COVID. And as well, there were all sorts of supply chain issues.”
PODS removed the basement from the design – also meaning they won’t have to do much blasting – and replaced much of the cement with a mass timber design (which came with a grant from the province).
“Overall, it saved us $7 million,” said Jackson. “So we were able to kind of counter the increase in the costs of the materials by redesigning.”
The core building is fully funded, said Jackson, and then they’ll be looking to fund the interior: the landscaping, the displays and exhibits. But they’ve got time, as building construction is estimated to take 18 months to two years.
The budget for the whole project at the moment is $30 million, said Jackson, though that may change as estimates are updated, which is Spani’s first task.
Of the centre, Spani Construction’s owner Doug Spani said in a press release, “This project is truly unparalleled, not just within the Sunshine Coast but on a global scale. Every aspect, from the architectural design to material selection, presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Spani Developments — a prospect that excites our entire team.”
“They’re such a great company and they’re local,” Jackson said of Spani. “And this isn’t an easy building to build but we’re absolutely confident that Spani can do it.”
The foundation has also opened a PODS showroom next to its EarthFare Store in Madeira Park, which includes all the building plans, renderings and plans for exhibits, Jackson said.
