Minoru's new pool may be one of the most energy efficient facilities of its kind in the region, once built, according to a staff report to city council.
The design intends to incorporate photovoltaic solar panels, to provide some of the pool's electrical capacity, as well as a heat recovery system, low-flow water fixtures, LED lighting and a rainwater capture system.
Engineers and architects are targeting a LEED Gold standard for the 110,000 square-foot facility that will incorporate a seniors centre, as well.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a North American building certification program.
Notably, being that it's a pool, which typically uses lots of energy, the $80 million facility will be on the lower spectrum of the Gold standard; while the ranking system is based on 100 points and the Gold standard is from 60-79 with the Platinum standard being above 80 points, the city is hoping Minoru pool will be ranked at about 65 points.
The facility is twice as large as the existing pool and seniors facility yet will use about the same amount of energy.
The proposed design will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent (180 cars per year) and energy demand by 50 per cent when compared to a "typically constructed facility," states the report.
It's noted that there are still moving parts to the design and the energy efficiency mechanisms are still a work in progress. The city considered taking heat from Minoru Arenas but concluded it wasn't feasible to do so.
Only two buildings in Richmond are presently LEED Gold certified — the Richmond RCMP headquarters and Brighouse elementary school.
Hughes Condon Marler Architects is designing the pool.
HCMA also designed Vancouver's Hillcrest aquatic centre and Steveston's new fire hall, both of which are awaiting LEED Gold certification, according to the Canada Green Building Council website.
Once built the new Minoru pool will feature two 25-metre pools and various hot and cold pools as well as saunas.
The design is considerably geared toward seniors activities as the complex incorporates the new Older Adults' Centre. The design contentiously omitted a 50-metre competitive pool.
The building will also include change rooms for outdoor activities and a viewing terrace for the track field.
Already announced is a public realm surrounding the building that includes several tree-lined gathering plazas, including a small amphitheatre.
The city states it will need to increase parking capacity in the area, which could spell the removal of mature trees along Granville Avenue and the relocation of bike paths.
Complimenting the new facility will be a new firehall next door, part of the city's capital infrastructure upgrades approved in 2014.
The facilities are scheduled for completion by summer 2017.
