The beginnings of a community ice arena and swimming pool are taking shape in Gibsons and Sechelt.
The ice-based community centre at Brothers Park in Gibsons is slated to be complete by December, 2007, while the Sechelt aquatic centre is expected to open next September.
The arena's change-room walls are up and its perimeter foundation poured. Local tradesmen are working steadily on the project towards their goal of eventually joining the community on the ice, pointed out project co-ordinator Brian Storrier. Currently there are up to 20 workers on site; there will be 50 to 70 workers once the construction is in full swing. Next week the masonry crew will start building block walls, along with the steel crew.
The final product will include an NHL-sized arena, four team change rooms, two multi-purpose change rooms, a fitness centre, two racquet courts, a seniors' room, a family room, youth centre and community kitchen.
In June 2005 the majority of voters in a referendum (excluding Area A) said yes to the Sunshine Coast Regional District's $19.3 million recreation facilities. Earlier this year, when projected construction costs were rising, the regional board decided to stay within its legal taxation limits and raise more in the first two years to go toward construction. The two projects are currently within the $10,350,000 budget for the pool and $12,390,000 for the arena, according to Storrier.
Concrete has been poured for the Sechelt pool and an interior wall is now up. The pool sits between the Sechelt library/municipal hall and courthouse. Design plans for the 1,899 square-metre facility include a 25-metre, six-lane pool, a therapeutic leisure pool, sauna, steam bath, swirl pool, one-metre diving board, spectator viewing, a waterslide, a climbing wall, a 225 square-metre fitness area, which could expand to 360 square metres, and community space.
