A rendering depicts what a new multi-use aquatic facility in Red Deer could look like. (GEC Architecture)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

council to discuss monday

Report reveals scope and design of future multi-use aquatic centre in Red Deer

Dec 6, 2020 | 11:02 AM

If a new multi-use aquatic centre is to be built in Red Deer, its location will be nearby the Michener Aquatic Centre or near downtown’s Rotary Recreation Centre.

A report published this weekend in the Dec. 7 city council agenda reveals the full scope and design of what’s been imagined by GEC Architecture in conjunction with City planners and members of the local aquatic society.

If it goes in Michener — with one image depicting its location along 30 Avenue — the estimated cost in 2020 dollars is $83.7 million, including $12.78 million for land acquisition and $19.3 million for soft costs.

Should it go downtown, the final cost – again, in 2020 dollars – would be $76.4 million, with just $6.1 million spent on land acquisition and $18.7 million on soft costs.

The base cost for facility construction at either site is $51.6 million.

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Expenditures for such a project are not currently in the City’s 10-year capital plan, though city council did previously approve $7 million for the design phase. Just $1 million of that was spent leaving the remainder to be put toward the facility’s cost.

Monday, council will consider a three-part resolution, the first asking them to agree a future facility will be built based on the scope, design and costing of the report.

It also asks them to agree it be located at one of the two aforementioned locations, and to select one following a supplemental site evaluation in Q2 2021. Finally, council will be asked to direct administration to continue to find opportunity to place this project back into the 10-year capital plan when it would meet budget guidelines and existing debt limit policy.

When the current study began, the facility was in the 10-year capital plan with construction set to commence in 2025, but it was since removed.

An image depicts the aquatic centre just to the east of the old Michener North buildings, and north of Clearview Meadows. (GEC Architecture)

What could happen to existing facilities?

“Based on a review of existing records, as well as an additional Outdoor Pool Condition Assessment conducted as part of this project, it has been concluded that the outdoor pool is at the end of its useful life,” the council report explains. “It is assumed that the existing outdoor pool will be operated within existing operational maintenance budgets without any capital reinvestment, until it is either replaced by a new outdoor water feature as part of the Aquatic Centre or it fails.”

Should the facility be built at Rotary Recreation Park, analysis found the Michener Aquatic Centre would no longer be needed to meet local demand.

Regardless of where it’s built, the report adds, it’s assumed the existing outdoor pool would be decommissioned, and any new facility would be built with an outdoor feature adjacent to it.

The report also notes that while the Michener Aquatic Centre has a lower annual operating cost, the Recreation Centre operates at a lower cost per visit, therefore carrying better value.

“The Recreation Centre should be prioritized over Michener if one facility needs to remain operational for city use,” it concludes.

(GEC Architecture)

What will it come with?

“The diverse needs and abilities of all people was included in facility design,” the report reads. “The result is an inclusive and accessible environment allowing equitable use for all persons regardless of social or cultural background.”

As referenced, any multi-use aquatic centre would bring with it a new outdoor feature, likely close to 1,100 square metres. That, however, would bring an additional cost; either $6.5 million to repurpose the existing outdoor pool downtown, or $7.4 million for a brand new one.

The centre would be fit for hosting regular swim competitions of a provincial level, artistic swimming and water polo at a national level, and diving at a regional level. There would be spectator seating for 750 people.

The facility would include a 53 metre x 25 metre pool with 10 lanes, with diving platforms at the deep end, and two 1.5 metre movable bulkheads.

It would also include:

-A 25 metre x 20.6 metre, eight lane pool for swim competitions, warm up for aquatic sport competitions, and floor based depths serving local community programming needs (compliant with FINA and Swim Alberta standards)

-Two hot tubs, steam and sauna amenities, universal change rooms, storage, sport group dryland training area, and staff support

(GEC Architecture)

Further analysis

The report also includes results of a Parking Impact Assessment which looked at the aquatic centre being constructed downtown.

It found during peak-season (June-Oct.), parking supply within 400 metres would not be sufficient during weekend morning periods primarily due to the public market. At all other times, parking supply is adequate.

It continues: “It is recognized that since the completion of this study, new information has been received related to the Michener North lands. The particulars of these lands may impact this final recommendation.”

It was revealed Nov. 13 that the City of Red Deer and Government of Alberta are working on the future of Michener North, one of the city’s most historic areas.

In August, the City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the province to provide for shared planning and consultation on the future land uses, including existing buildings and infrastructure on the Michener North lands.

The provincial government has decided to proceed with the demolition of the remaining Michener North buildings later this year, allowing finalization of the City’s purchase of 132.2 acres, thereby protecting them as a community asset and future “destination legacy.”

Furthermore, to operate the facility would require a yearly financial commitment of close to $6 million. Revenue by year five would just shy of $2 million for the indoor facility and another half million from the outdoor feature, with figures expected to increase over time.

If the City waits until 2028, cost of a multi-use aquatic centre at Michener goes from $83.7 million to $91 million.

The report also shows including the pool in the capital plan would not currently meet council’s budget guidelines related to debt limit, which stipulates debt not exceed 75 per cent of the limit allowed by the Municipal Government Act. It would balloon from 74 per cent in 2027 to 89 per cent in 2028, remaining about that high through 2030.

Council will be formally presented with this report on Monday, Dec. 7.

(GEC Architecture)

Note: A previous version of this story stated the Michener option would locate a new facility next to the existing Michener Aquatic Centre. The correct location is on the Michener North lands along 30 Avenue.