Proposed Parksville Aquatic and Recreation Centre

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*At the January 30, 2024, meeting, the Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the following resolution:

“It was moved and seconded that the Board abandon “Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023.”

In July 2022, City staff presented a report to Council which included a preliminary site suitability review for three identified sites for consideration as the location of a future aquatic centre. The report was received for information.

At the July 17, 2023, meeting, Council approved a motion which was forwarded to the Regional District of Nanaimo:
THAT Council confirms the City of Parksville’s strong support for a new aquatic centre in the Parksville area and proposes that the RDN Board endorse this need and incorporate a capital project for a new aquatic centre governed and funded by benefitting jurisdictions in the Region and commence the work to identify suitable sites in the Parksville area.

On July 26, 2023, the District 69 Swimming Pool Service Select Committee recommended to the Regional District of Nanaimo Board that it support the request to examine the feasibility of a pool in the Parksville area.

On December 5, 2023, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board approved a motion to establish a bylaw for the Parksville Pool Feasibility Service. The cost of the study is $170,000 and will be shared by the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Electoral Areas E, F, G, and H.

On January 15, 2024, Parksville Council passed the resolution:
THAT the correspondence from the Regional District of Nanaimo dated December 13, 2023, regarding "Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023" be received. THAT the Council of the City of Parksville consents on behalf of the electors to the adoption of "Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023" and further, that the Regional District of Nanaimo be notified accordingly.

At the January 30, 2024, meeting, the Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the following
resolution:

“It was moved and seconded that the Board abandon “Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023.”

Background
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.

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?

*At the January 30, 2024, meeting, the Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the following resolution:

“It was moved and seconded that the Board abandon “Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023.”

In July 2022, City staff presented a report to Council which included a preliminary site suitability review for three identified sites for consideration as the location of a future aquatic centre. The report was received for information.

At the July 17, 2023, meeting, Council approved a motion which was forwarded to the Regional District of Nanaimo:
THAT Council confirms the City of Parksville’s strong support for a new aquatic centre in the Parksville area and proposes that the RDN Board endorse this need and incorporate a capital project for a new aquatic centre governed and funded by benefitting jurisdictions in the Region and commence the work to identify suitable sites in the Parksville area.

On July 26, 2023, the District 69 Swimming Pool Service Select Committee recommended to the Regional District of Nanaimo Board that it support the request to examine the feasibility of a pool in the Parksville area.

On December 5, 2023, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board approved a motion to establish a bylaw for the Parksville Pool Feasibility Service. The cost of the study is $170,000 and will be shared by the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Electoral Areas E, F, G, and H.

On January 15, 2024, Parksville Council passed the resolution:
THAT the correspondence from the Regional District of Nanaimo dated December 13, 2023, regarding "Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023" be received. THAT the Council of the City of Parksville consents on behalf of the electors to the adoption of "Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023" and further, that the Regional District of Nanaimo be notified accordingly.

At the January 30, 2024, meeting, the Board of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopted the following
resolution:

“It was moved and seconded that the Board abandon “Parksville Pool Feasibility Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1894, 2023.”

Background
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.

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?