A feasibility study recommends the city upgrade the Flin Flon Aqua Centre to the tune of $7.7 million, improving the design and adding new features.
The city-funded study, released this week by Bridgman Collaborative Architecture, examined six options to improve the swimming and exercise facility.
“Option 4, with estimated costs just under $8 million dollars, has many advantages. Based on all factors, we recommend this option,” reads the study.
Option 4 in the study would mean additional classroom space, a larger weight room, a therapeutic pool and a larger pool deck.
“I wasn’t surprised that option 4 was picked,” said Mike Dubreuil, the city’s recreation manager, excited about the recommendation.
About 70 per cent of those who attended public meetings on the Aqua Centre last year were in favour of option 4.
This option calls for improvements to the current building rather than the construction of an entirely new facility, a step that was part of options 5 and 6.
“Both option 4 and 5 are viable options,” said Dubreuil. “They ultimately give you the same amenities. The big difference between the two is that option 4 utilizes what we already have and therefore costs about $4 million less to construct.”
The city has yet to commit funding to the Aqua Centre upgrades. Fundraising is expected to help foot the bill if the project is to proceed.
“Picking option 4 I think shows the state of where people in the community are and where their mindset is,” said Dubreuil. “What this result says to me is that although it would be nice to have a lot of flashy and more fun features, the public is more interested in getting something that serves the needs of the community and is at a cost that makes the
fundraising goals attainable and will make this a reality.”
The final decision on which option to proceed with still hinges on direction from city council as well as a community committee yet to be formed.
“The committee and council will have the final say on what option to go with,” Dubreuil said. “If it is determined that it is in the community’s best interest to choose a different option and all parties agree, then that is the way it will proceed.”
Meeting
A meeting will be held at city hall council chambers on Tuesday, March 24 to form the community committee that will help make the final decision on the Aqua Centre.
The meeting is open to everyone. Dubreuil says the “more the merrier” and encourages “anyone interested in making this project a reality” to attend the 7 pm meeting.
Dubreuil hopes to see at least 20 residents at the committee meeting, but he adds that others can join after the meeting process has begun.
Since the Aqua Centre serves the region, Dubreuil said the community committee is open to all area residents, whether they are from Flin Flon or not.
“The Aqua Centre is a true regional facility,” said Dubreuil. “The next closest indoor pool is in
The Pas.
“If the pool is important to you and you want to ensure that we continue to have this valuable facility, come out for this committee.”
Expand
If option 4 is selected for the community, the Aqua Centre would expand to include another 10,774 square feet of space. It would mean a therapeutic pool, classroom space and a larger weight room.
“From an operational standpoint, I see great benefits from having a larger weight room on the main floor and from having a multipurpose/classroom space for additional programming,” said Dubreuil.
“But the increase [in] accessibility is huge. We have an aging population and the overall design has kept that in mind while accommodating for people with mobility concerns and addressing the need of families. The basic fundamentals of municipal recreation are accessibility and inclusion, and this design allows for both.”
Dubreuil is encouraged by the study, its findings and the overall response so far.
“I am very pleased with the suggestions and with the study results in general,” he said. “Sometimes when you deal with architects you get someone who is more interested in making a statement or a monument. That was not the case with this study. I [felt that] Bridgman Collaborative Architecture did an excellent job of listening to the public and taking the feedback they received and coming up with realistic results that meet our needs and are attainable.”
The Aqua Centre recently had upgrades to its HVAC/heat reclaim system. The parking lot also received work as a by-product of the nearby water treatment plant construction.
“The benefit of both of these upgrades is that they are usable for the proposed building upgrades in option 4 and would not be an additional cost,” said Dubreuil.
Committee key
The timeline for potential Aqua Centre upgrades is still unknown and will depend heavily on the status of the community committee.
“If the community embraces this and comes together in large numbers to make this a reality, then we are looking at likely three to five years for the project to happen and for the fundraising to take place,” Dubreuil said.
“However, if the community does not rally for this and we have a poor turnout, then the whole project is in jeopardy of not happening at all. This is not a case where someone else will take care of it. If this is important to you then I urge you to participate and help make this a reality.”
Options
A feasibility study released this week recommends option 4 for the Flin Flon Aqua Centre. Here are the six options examined for the facility:
Option 1: The most minimal interventions required in keeping the facility operating by addressing safety and Building Code issues. Total cost is $65,000 with zero additional space.
Option 2: Includes Option 1 as well as the replacement of the metal clad exterior. The upgrade would improve temperature control and be more attractive looking from the exterior. It would not provide any new features with the exception of a Fire Code complaint vestibule entry. Total cost is $1.26 million with an additional 30 square feet.
Option 3: Includes options 1 and 2 and addresses the design. It proposes a new location for the entry as well as family change rooms and an improved lifeguard room. Total cost is $4.87 million with an additional 2,400 square feet.
Option 4: Includes all of options 1, 2 and 3 as well as a fitness room, classroom and therapeutic pool. Total cost is $7.70 million with an additional 10,774 square feet.
Option 5: The same space configurations as Option 4 but includes the demolition of the current building and the construction of a new one. Total cost is $11.64 million with a total of 21,374 square feet.
Option 6: A new building larger than options 4 and 5 that would include a children’s pool, a 50-metre lap pool and a therapeutic pool. Total cost is $17.92 million with a total of 23,250 square feet.
