Construction crews were clearing and fencing off the ground this week between the municipal hall and courthouse, preparing for the groundbreaking of the Sechelt aquatic centre April 25.
The facility is targeted to be operating by summer 2007, according to project co-ordinator Brian Storrier. The building design is set and architects are now at the working drawing stage to take the project to tender. "I think this pool will serve the community very well. It will be a light, bright, fun place to come," Storrier said. "It directly speaks to what the community asked for."
The Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) project team is in the process of applying to the District of Sechelt for permits and talking to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority about health guidelines such as chlorination.
Now that the design is finalized, the SCRD is getting started on its operations plan, including staffing and hours. The facility will be fully wheelchair accessible. The pool has a 260-person capacity, and 75 additional parking stalls will be added to the site.
The Gibsons ice-based community centre's design should be getting the final stamp of approval soon, likely on April 20. SCRD staff met with Town of Gibsons staff and council Tuesday to bring back to council the design that council approved in principle. The design is to go before the council next Tuesday (April 18) for approval or changes. If approved, it would go to a special SCRD board meeting April 20 for final approval, according to Storrier.
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk said there are a few minor details that council wants to discuss Tuesday, including where a future Rotary concession building would be sited on the property, disabled and pedestrian access, large truck deliveries and pick ups, the potential for a second storey, assurance of alternative energy systems, exterior colour schemes and a request that the SCRD take into account more in-kind contributions. Other than those items, "generally the design looks pretty good from council's perspective," and Janyk expects it could be approved by April 20.
Storrier expects the construction trailer and fencing would go up at Brothers Park for the groundbreaking the week of May 15, followed by rough grading shortly thereafter. The target opening date is September, 2007. The permitting and approval process is moving along with the Town, Storrier said. The project team hopes to have all tender packages out and returned by late summer this year.
