Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors have OK’d $50,000 for professional fees to develop a “scope of work” plan to replace the hot tub at the Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility.
On Jan. 28 directors also requested that the Town of Gibsons approach the Haynes family about utilizing a $192,155 bequest by Muriel Haynes to the Town that was originally earmarked for pool expansion, in order to offset the cost of hot tub replacement.
An SCRD staff report noted the replacement could cost in the neighbourhood of $250,000, although that price tag will need to be firmed up via the scope of work plan.
Following that plan, a budget proposal will be prepared for the 2016 budget deliberations, and community information sessions have been set for Feb. 4, 5, 16 and 17 to discuss the hot tub replacement project and explain the potential cost to residents.
The cost of replacement entails more than just removing the current hot tub and putting another in its place, manager of recreation services Bruce Bauman noted.
“The replacement of the Gibsons and District Aquatic Facility hot tub is complex due to the legislated requirements of design, construction and operation,” Bauman said in a report to SCRD directors.
“There are also many unknowns of how large the scope of the project could become after demolition occurs. A complete evaluation of all in and above ground mechanical/disinfection systems will also need to be undertaken. This will include specifications for any new design and the present condition of existing equipment.”
He added that the replacement could also require alterations to the round pool beside the hot tub, but that impact won’t be known until the scope of work has been prepared.
All community information sessions about the hot tub replacement will be held at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre as follows:
Feb. 4 from 5 to 6 p.m., Feb. 5 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to noon and Feb. 17 from 5 to 6 p.m.
