The proposed new combined aquatic and seniors centre in Richmond has been moved to a new location, but still in the Minoru precinct.
The near $80 million project looks set to be built immediately to the west of the current Minoru running track, on top of the “Minoru 2” artificial turf soccer field and pavilion.
Earlier this year, city council was considering simply rebuilding the Minoru pool and seniors centre on their current sites. However, that plan was deemed unworkable due to disruption to services and for safety factors.
The artificial soccer field lost to the new facilities — a 68,000 square feet aquatic centre and 33,000 square feet seniors centre — would be replaced with a new one directly north, where the grass field currently sits.
The grass field would also move north, to be replaced by a multi-purpose artificial sports field. And the facilities offered by the near 50-year-old Minoru Sports Pavilion would be incorporated within the new building.
The new direction, up in price from $65 million in June to $79.6 million this week, was presented among four options to city council on Monday.
Despite the near $15 million increase, many on council were surprised the option — approved unanimously — wasn’t given to them earlier this year.
“I’m very much in favour of this option, it provides no disruption to services, that’s huge,” said Coun. Derek Dang.
Ian MacLeod, chair of the Richmond Aquatic Services Board, was also in strong support of the new site.
While Coun. Bill McNulty urged city staff to consider an Olympic-sized pool when it comes to out-fitting the new facility.
The city’s major capital project team lead, Laurie Bachynski, told McNulty and the rest of council that the scope and layout within the new building can easily be changed during the public consultation and design phase next year.
If the project goes ahead as expected, the aforementioned consultation could be in 2014 and subsequent construction could begin in 2015 with a 2017 completion.
The option favoured by staff and council has: $69.8 million going toward the combined aquatic and seniors centre; $3.7 million to incorporate the pavilion; $5.7 million to relocate the fields; $0.4 million for temporary washrooms.
Any work to relocate the soccer fields would be carried out during the off-season, said city staff. However, baseball on the current diamond at Minoru would be sacrificed for the 2014 season at that location, with an alternative site sought.
The current Minoru pool and seniors centre buildings would be demolished under the plan, leaving a number of options for site usage open to the city.
Among suggestions from staff, council and the public are additional parking and green space.
To help pay for the new facilities — as well as a new $22 million Firehall No. 1 — city council has agreed to borrow more than $50 million at what city staff say are very attractive lending rates.
