Proposed Parksville Aquatic and Recreation Centre

Public Consultation – Engage with Us!
Phase 1 - Feasibility
Phase 2 - Detailed Design Phase
Despard Test Site
Financial Information

Do you have a question or comment?

On July 18, City staff presented Council with a follow up report which included a preliminary site suitability review for three identified sites for consideration as the location of a future aquatic and recreation centre. Council received the report for information and will provide staff with direction at a later date. In the meantime, please share your ideas on this site and continue to check back for further information.

For the past twenty years, there has been considerable discussion about the need for a new swimming pool and more indoor recreational and community space in the Oceanside region. The concept for construction of a new swimming pool in Parksville arose from the Mayor’s Roundtable event and community engagement sessions in 2019. Through in-person meetings and resident surveys, Council determined five strategic priority areas for their term of office. Recreation and economic development were identified as two of the key priorities approved in the 2019-2022 strategic plan.

Council believes there is strong public support for investment in a swimming pool within Parksville boundaries to enhance community well-being, local recreational and fitness opportunities and attract and retain young families. Council is interested in the economic benefits of developing sports tourism facilities to serve residents and visitors; however, the primary focus is a pool and multiplex facility. The community activity centre or multiplex would also serve as a meeting or gathering space, becoming the hub for both sports and non-sports activities.

A new multiplex facility would create synergy between all ages and provide a place to bring people together, young families as well as active seniors. New rental housing and multi-family housing development now underway in Parksville will provide much needed housing for families with young children encouraged to move to our region.

There will be many steps in this process as the City moves this exciting project forward; steps which include developing the concept design further, defining a location as well as public engagement to facilitate input from the Parksville community.

Feasibility study
In 2019, Parksville Council directed staff to prepare a request for proposals for a feasibility study for a swimming pool and multiplex facility in Parksville. The feasibility study final report for the development of a modern, multi-purpose community recreation complex was presented to Council in late 2020 and included these elements:

• Aquatics - six lane, 25 metre swimming pool, separate leisure water with zero entry, therapeutic swim channel, hot tub and play amenities/spaces.
• Community recreation centre multiplex with public and multi-purpose space designed to meet flexible community needs and accommodate small, medium and large public events.
• Gymnasium and indoor fitness track, roof top amenity.
• Accessible change rooms.

In July 2019, Council directed staff to prepare a business case for the construction of a swimming pool, recreation centre and multiplex for the City of Parksville and in September 2019, directed staff to proceed with a request for proposals. HDR Architecture Associates, Inc. was chosen as the consultant tasked to examine the feasibility of a swimming pool and multiplex within City limits. This work included identifying funding models and a range of options for size and scale of use of the facility. Consultants were engaged to provide expert input and recommendations. Construction budgets were provided for the concept design options. Through consultation with an expert in recreation centre operations, several strategies and key insights on operating costs for this type of facility were also provided. The feasibility study which built on consultation with sports and recreation groups and the public, concluded there is a need for a new centre in Parksville.