Ravensong Aquatic Centre Renovation

On April 5, 2025, eligible electors from the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Electoral Areas (EA) E, F, G and H voted no to borrowing up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre.

Following the referendum, the RDN Board approved a resolution directing staff to research an alternate project scope contingent to utilizing the $7 million funding contribution provisionally awarded to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project.

On October 14, 2025, the RDN Board reviewed the updated project scope and directed staff to submit a revised application to the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The updated project scope aligns with the priorities of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program to allow the RDN an opportunity to retain the full $7 million funding contribution.

Want to learn more?

  • Register and subscribe to this project for email updates.
  • Ask us a question using the Q & A tab below.
  • Visit the project FAQ's and check out the Background Documents for more information about the proposed renovation.
  • Learn more about the history of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion project and how we got to referendum here.
  • More information about the 2025 Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Referendum can be found here and to see the 2025 referendum results visit: rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-results

On April 5, 2025, eligible electors from the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Electoral Areas (EA) E, F, G and H voted no to borrowing up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre.

Following the referendum, the RDN Board approved a resolution directing staff to research an alternate project scope contingent to utilizing the $7 million funding contribution provisionally awarded to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project.

On October 14, 2025, the RDN Board reviewed the updated project scope and directed staff to submit a revised application to the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The updated project scope aligns with the priorities of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program to allow the RDN an opportunity to retain the full $7 million funding contribution.

Want to learn more?

  • Register and subscribe to this project for email updates.
  • Ask us a question using the Q & A tab below.
  • Visit the project FAQ's and check out the Background Documents for more information about the proposed renovation.
  • Learn more about the history of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion project and how we got to referendum here.
  • More information about the 2025 Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Referendum can be found here and to see the 2025 referendum results visit: rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-results

Q&A

Do you have a question about the proposed Ravensong Aquatic Centre Renovation project that hasn't been answered in our FAQ's? 

If so, please ask us here. 

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  • I live in Nanoose Bay and was wondering why a pool complex in Parksville is not being proposed. I heard that many years ago, Qualicum Beach would have the pool and Parksville, the ice rink. However, both Parksville and Qualicum have changed dramatically over the years. I would support a pool for Parksville.

    Nanoose resident asked 23 days ago

    Alternative locations to build an Aquatic and Recreation Centre, including Parksville, were reviewed by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board, as well as the City of Parksville Council, and, through an extensive feasibility study, it was determined to be more cost effective to expand the existing Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach. 

    As identified through the feasibility study, both the Capital and ongoing operating costs of a new Aquatic and Recreation Centre were determined to be too high for the current population base of Parksville and would overburden City of Parksville taxpayers. More information regarding the feasibility study and RDN Board resolutions can be found here: https://letstalkparksville.ca/parksville-aquatic-and-recreation-centre.

  • When (not if) the $7M budget runs over - like all public works project do, how will the overrun be funded?

    fisher asked 23 days ago

    When a funding decision has been received from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program regarding the Regional District of Nanaimo’s (RDN) revised Ravensong Aquatic Centre application, staff will report back to a future RDN Oceanside Services Committee meeting and then RDN Board regarding next steps. Through this report, staff will be provided with further direction from the RDN Board. 

    Should the project be approved, a Class B estimate will be produced, including contingencies to address any unforeseen costs or unexpected cost escalations in order to remain within the established project budget and in accordance with industry standards and best practices.

  • Clearly, Nanoose Bay Area E residents resoundingly rejected supporting the ravensong pool expenditures. I believe most Nanoose Bay residents, when voting, were expressing their displeasure in being part a service area covering qualicum. So why are the taxpayers in Area E still included and expected to fund the Ravensong Song Pool?

    Greenwave asked 23 days ago

    On January 9, 2024, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board met and approved the following motion: 

    That the Board adopt "Regional District of Nanaimo District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service Area Amendment Bylaw No. 899.03, 2023”.

    Through this approval, Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay) residents are now included in the tax requisition for the District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service Area for Ravensong Aquatic Centre with all funding participants being assessed by the 100% usage apportionment model. The Property Tax requisition for Electoral Area E for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Service is based on actual usage of the facility by Area E residents only. Actual usage of the facility by Area E residents is recognized at 4.5% which means that a 4.5% property tax requisition is applied annually to Area E for this service. 

  • Thanks for the update on the pool. I reviewed the provided documents, but I couldn't understand exactly what's being proposed beyond a more energy-efficient and accessible swimming pool. Is there anything you can add to give more details?

    ShelleyP asked 23 days ago

    Details on the proposed project scope is included under Attachment 1 - Ravensong Aquatic Centre Renovations (GIBC Scope) - Class C Estimate which can be found here: https://www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/50220/widgets/212207/documents under 10.3.1 Ravensong Aquatic Centre Revised Project Scope. 

    The revised project scope focuses on accessibility improvements, sustainable green retrofit measures, addressing operational challenges at the facility and enhancing the user experience. Specific project components include but are not limited to the following: 

    • Changeroom upgrades with new lockers 
    • Replacement of pool deck tile and re-grading of the pool deck
    • Improved signage
    • Accessible reception area including a hearing loop that delivers sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants to provide users with assistive listening options   
    • Addition of an entrance vestibule to reduce heat loss 
    • Air handling and envelope upgrades 
    • Improved staff and user safety 
Page last updated: 28 Jan 2026, 08:48 AM