Recreation

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) in partnership with the District of 100 Mile House, has recently completed the South Cariboo Pool Complex Feasibility Study. The purpose of the study was to investigate the viability of constructing a recreation complex in the south Cariboo that would feature swimming and leisure pools, a fitness centre and multipurpose space. Bruce Carscadden Architect Inc. (BCA) and Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants (PERC) were the consultants selected to conduct the feasibility study.

In late 2008, the Cariboo Regional District Board allocated $30,000 in Feasibility Reserve funding from the 2009 financial plan to complete a study regarding a swimming pool complex in the south Cariboo. The South Cariboo Joint Committee established and appointed membership to a working group to guide development and delivery of the study. CRD Director, Art Dumaresq and District of 100 Mile House Councillor, Bill Hadden were appointed to the committee, which also included two members from the South Cariboo Aquatic Society along with a staff member from both the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House.

The completed study is available for public review on the CRD website at www.cariboord.bc.ca or in person at our south Cariboo office at 175 Airport Road in the South Cariboo Recreation Centre, 100 Mile House. For further information, please call the CRD's Community Services Department at 1-800-665-1636 or 250-392-3351.

The siting of the pool facility raised the most questions, especially the suggestion of replacing the Agriplex.

Carmen Wannop wanted to know why the steering committee was considering building on a site where there’s currently a building (the Agriplex) instead of building on the other side where there aren’t any buildings.

Consultant Bruce Carscadden said there was an opportunity because that building was “coming to the end of its life” and that would be the preferred site.

If the Agriplex was still in use, Wannop suggested it would be cheaper to build elsewhere rather than pay more to tear the building down.

“I don’t know if I can answer that question,” Carscadden replied. “I was just given the suggestion that building was coming down.”

Cariboo Regional District (CRD) chair Al Richmond said he wanted to know who suggested the Agriplex would be torn down. “We haven’t made that decision yet.”

CRD community service manager Darron Campbell noted there have been many discussions about the Agriplex at the steering committee level.

“Nobody said that building was absolutely coming down; it was appreciated that it was a future decision. It was discussed that if the opportunity existed to put the pool there, that would be the preferred site.”

If that location was not available, there are other options around the existing facilities, he said, adding the cost estimate didn’t tie into that location.

“There would be some incremental costs for deconstruction of the Agriplex but that would be part of the whole project as it was accounted for in the total cost of this facility.”

Replying to a suggestion to put the pool on the other side of the existing facilities as a compromise, District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall said the site decision has not been made and it could be 20 years before the pool gets the go-ahead from the public.

“It may be the preferred site now, but if the Agriplex is still there, it ain’t going to go there. We’ll make a decision of where it has to go when the time comes.”

A physician, who moved to 100 Mile about three years ago, noted that if the area wants to attract young professionals to the community, the pool is a necessity.

“It’s a real concern for me and my family. We’re one of the few communities of our size around the province that does not provide a swimming venue. I just want to have that out there as a newcomer to the community.”

After discussion on the other siting options and the problems they would cause other users of the rodeo grounds, the Agriplex and the ball fields, Campsall said “there’s no intention to put anyone out and we’re not trying to get rid of the Agriplex.”

The mayor said all of this is good information and the next step is going to the public because there’s a lot of other information to be dealt with and that’s where the decision will be made.

Richmond noted a temporary fence would be going up around the Agriplex “but it’s not a precursor to demolition.”

About two dozen people crowded into the South Cariboo Rec Centre meeting room to hear the long-awaited design and feasibility reports on the South Cariboo Swimming Pool Study.

Bruce Carscadden, of Bruce Carscadden Architect Inc., and Bill Webster, of Professional Environ-ment Recreation Consultants Ltd. and their team of consultants were in charge of assembling information on a preferred facility option, design drawings and budgets to provide the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) with a comprehensive study.

They assessed and priorized the community needs for the proposed recreation facility with input from representatives from the community and local governments.

Carscadden and Webster led the 25-minute PowerPoint presentation that outlined the types of aquatic activities the pool would present as well as the design options.

The consultants and steering committee looked at three facility options: one coming in at an estimated cost of $9.2 million, another at $11.8 million and third at $13 million.

When they priorized the designs and preferred amenities, they came up with a preferred option that included: direct connection to the existing arena; change areas for men, women and families; a four-lane, 25-metre lap pool; an accessible and expressive leisure pool adjacent to the lap tank that offers various play and therapy features as well as two more swimming lanes; a large, open pool deck that offers easy circulation and social space; and a 20-person family hot pool.

It was noted a slide component could be added to the facility in the future.

Webster also suggested a “lazy river” might be added to the leisure pool concept as it is has been a very popular feature with both seniors and children in other facilities. It provides a current that people can swim against or just float with the current.

The cost estimate on the preferred facility option came in at $12,780,00, which included “soft” and consultant costs, and factored in escalation.

An operating cost assessment was based on the operating budgets provided by facilities of a similar size in other communities.

It projects yearly net expenditures for the facility at $448,700, with a 33 per cent rate of recovery.

The consultants narrowed it down to potential 10 sites throughout the community to locate the pool facility. Using social, environmental and financial criteria for narrowing down the choices, they and the steering committee decided the best location would be adjacent to the South Cariboo Rec Centre.

Then it came down to four options: between the curling rink and the Agriplex; west of the Agriplex by the ball diamond; the rodeo site; or as a replacement for the Agriplex.

It was noted the latter proposal was preferrable because it would allow the pool facility to be tied in with the existing curling and arena facilities. This would allow families to go to the site and use the various facilities — some playing hockey while other family members used the pool.

The consultants also noted it would be ideal to show case all of the recreation opportunities at one site.

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD), working in partnership with the District of 100 Mile House, is investigating the viability of constructing a recreation complex in the South Cariboo that would feature swimming and leisure pools, a fitness centre and multipurpose space. Bruce Carscadden Architect Inc. (BCA) and Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants (PERC) have been contracted to carry out a feasibility study.

When completed in October 2009, the feasibility study will put forward recommendations for site location, architectural design, estimated construction and operating costs, and program delivery for the recreation complex. BCA and PERC will develop these recommendations through meetings with the project steering committee, the south Cariboo Aquatic Society and other stakeholders; collecting and reviewing existing documentation, legal surveys, and local planning and zoning regulations; and conducting reviews of similar aquatic facility budgets and programs in other communities.

"Large construction projects such as this take several years to complete," stated CRD Chair and Area G Director Al Richmond. "Therefore, despite the current tough economic times, it's wise to begin planning now for a new recreation complex in the south Cariboo so that when economic times are more favourable, we can be ready to take advantage of federal and provincial grant funding opportunities. Recreation facilities contribute greatly to the vibrancy and long-term stability of communities."

BCA and PERC have begun to gather pertinent information and to analyze the data in order to determine three to four potential sites for the recreation complex. The consultants have made presentations to stakeholders and the project steering committee, and begun to establish programming goals to develop three to four concept designs.

"To make an informed decision about a pool facility the community needs sufficient background details," said District of 100 Mile House, Mayor Mitch Campsall. "There are many important factors that need to be considered such as, capital and operational costs, building features, and location, before any decision can be made on how to best proceed."

The completed feasibility study will be presented to the South Cariboo Joint Committee, consisting of the District of 100 Mile House Council and the CRD Directors for Areas G, H, and L, and the next appropriate steps will be determined. These steps will include a public consultation process on the project and confirmation of the potential impact the recreation complex may have on the local tax base.

The South Cariboo Aquatic Society took their vision of an aquatic facility in the South Cariboo to the Interlakes Hall on February 24th. It was a small group but a lively discussion. Topics ranged from location of the pool, cost to the taxpayers, and support for such an endeavor as well as the feasibility study. The Aquatic Society is trying to get the message out to the public that this is a much needed center. We are trying to keep taxpayers informed as to the processes involved in building such a facility.

As well as attending all public forums the South Cariboo Aquatic Society has been lobbying the different levels of government for grant money to advance this process. We have been successful in obtaining monies from the CRD as well as the Village of 100 Mile House for the feasibility study. The study will determine costs of an aquatic facility. This information will be made available to the taxpayers of the South Cariboo in order for them to make an informed decision at a Referendum.

You can go to www.southcaribooaquaticsociety.org and check out the website for updates. Also we would like to remind the public that we are still taking donations at Gold Trail Recycling, just to let you know that when you take your bottles and cans in that you can request that you want to donate them to The South Cariboo Aquatic Society.

You can still purchase a membership anytime to show your support $10 for 1 year or 3 years for $25, per person. Thank you for the support and all the encouragement as well.