Crystal Pool is an ageing and expensive facility to run, according to the City of Victoria.
So, for the past several years, city council has been mulling over how to go about the process of replacing the recreational centre, how to fund it, where to put it, what it should include and how to make it more long-lasting than its predecessor.
This week, on Thursday, June 13th, Victoria council will hear a staff report regarding the replacement and all possible considerations involved in the process.
First of all, there are three possible locations for the Crystal Pool Replacement; Central Park north, Central Park south or 940 Caledonia Avenue, which is the former site of Tiny Town and the future site of another transitional housing initiative.
City staff are recommending that council choose Central Park north as it has been deemed the cheapest of the three sites to build on and it will be the quickest to be completed in terms of construction.
The project duration from beginning to end will take an estimated 61 months at the Central Park north location, 66 months at Central Park south and 70 months at the Caledonia site.
When it comes to project costs, the total project budget is looking like it will be $209.2 million to build at Central park north, $215.9 million at Central Park south and $232.9 million at Caledonia.
The City of Victoria will contribute $30 million from their reserves for this project regardless of which option they choose, location-wise.
The rest of that funding will have to come from borrowing money.
So, the City is recommending that council initiates the process to hold a referendum to seek elector assent for the borrowing.
If all goes according to the plan laid out by City staff, council will provide direction this month, by July all associated bylaws and submissions to the Province will be completed, the referendum can take place in early 2025, construction take place over the next five to six years with the new facility opening in either 2029 or 2030.
Regardless of where it goes, the new pool facility will feature a 50 metre pool; a leisure pool with 25 metre warm-up lanes; a shallow area, play features and a lazy river; two hot tubs at different temperatures; a sauna and steam room; as well as seating and viewing areas.
In addition to the pool area, the new Crystal Pool amenities will also feature a large fitness studio; multi-purpose rooms for sports, dance, fitness, wellness and art; community gathering spaces; universal washroom and change room options; expanded parking including accessible and EV charging options; and short and long-term bike parking.
What do you think of a Crystal Pool replacement? Let us know in the comments!
