The City of Richmond is encouraging residents to express their thoughts on proposed “public realm” designs for the new Minoru precinct, which will not include a new 50-metre competitive pool.
A new 110,000 square foot $80 million pool and seniors centre is planned for the southeast corner of Minoru Park as artificial sports fields have been moved northward, including an all-in-one soccer field and baseball diamond.
City planners are now asking the public to comment on the outdoor space surrounding these areas by going online to letstalkrichmond.ca.
One may comment on things such as wayfinding, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, parking and landscaping.
Residents will not be able to comment on what to do with the site of the old Minoru pool and seniors’ centre.
City spokesperson Ted Townsend said those decisions will come at a later date.
“The park is always going to be evolving. We’re basing this on what we know now,” he said.
Coun. Harold Steves told the News he would like to see a redesign of the whole site.
The old pool dates back to the 1950s and, according to Richmond Aquatic Services Board chair Ian MacLeod, is overcrowded with 1,250 daily users, on average.
MacLeod was upset in October to hear some councillors wanted a 50-metre pool. MacLeod said public consultation showed an appetite for two 25-metre leisure pools and a facility decidedly geared toward older adult activities.
Councillors Bill McNulty and Alexa Loo joined Steves as the only councillors to express a desire to consider a competitive pool.
To no avail, Steves said he asked other councillors to reconsider the new pool’s design, which was approved back in October.
Steves said he is concerned about the lease at Watermania expiring, as well as its age.
“I think the new pool will be great, other than the (lack of) 50-metre pool,” said Steves.
The existing designs indicate up to 100 more parking stalls fro the precinct.
