Parksville and Qualicum-area residents will vote next spring on whether to borrow $30 million to expand the Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach.
The project would almost triple the size of the facility, which was built in 1995, to close to 30,500 square feet from just under 11,000 square feet.
“I’m really impressed with the whole plan — I think it is a good fit for our community,” Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien said this week, adding the region needs a newer and larger aquatic centre with more amenities. “It is so overused right now.”
The population continues to climb, with many young families moving into the area, O’Brien said.
“We have a huge amount of development going on in particular, and so our population is increasing exponentially as well.”
Parksville had considered building its own facility, but the $50-million cost was too much for the municipality’s taxpayers to carry alone, he said.
If the Ravensong expansion is approved in the referendum, participating areas would include Qualicum Beach, Parksville and four electoral areas, representing communities such as Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Errington, Whiskey Creek, French Creek, Bowser, Qualicum Bay and Deep Bay.
“It keeps the cost down so that one municipality is not carrying the whole load,” O’Brien said.
The expansion would include four more lap lanes of 25 metres each, sauna and steam rooms, new and upgraded inclusive change rooms, plus additional space for the lobby, multi-purpose use, and staff. Seismic, electrical and mechanical upgrades are planned, as well.
Nanaimo Regional District board members voted in favour this week of holding the referendum. Only electors in the specified areas will vote on whether they want to see an addition to taxes to pay for the 20-year borrowing proposal. Other areas of the region would not be affected financially.
Based on the average home price, Parksville residents could pay an extra $70.49 per year for the pool expansion, while Qualicum Beach residents could pay $122.48. The extra amounts for residents of the affected electoral areas range from $29.12 to $109.46.
Payment amounts may change as interest rates shift, staff said.
The board also agreed to apply for a grant from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program to help with the project cost, which is estimated at $36.4 million.
The expansion would feature a net-zero energy-efficient design, which is required for the federal funding application.
Three closures are anticipated during the 24-to-28-month construction period for the pool expansion, staff said, but the goal is to keep the facility largely open.
