Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project

Please see the Timeline and Background Documents sections for details on recent direction. You can also see detailed agendas, minutes and video from both the June 27 Oceanside Services Committee and July 12 Regular Board meetings by visiting https://rdn.bc.ca/agendas-minutes-videos

At the November 22, 2021, Oceanside Services Committee (OSC) meeting committee members recommended to the RDN Board that staff continue to plan for an expansion of Ravensong Aquatic Centre in phases that could be aligned and adapted to the final outcome of the City of Parksville’s efforts for their own Pool/Multiplex facility. This planning includes both financial options and implications on funding both a phased and unphased expansion of the selected option (OO), costing and scheduling for final schematic design, the start of detailed design and Class C costing. At the regular December 7, 2021, RDN Board meeting the following resolutions were made:

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That the preferred Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion option be Option OO (Original Option).

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That the financial planning for Phase 1 of Option OO (Original Option) expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre, including funding for a referendum, continue within the 2022 Financial Plan.

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That the next phase for an expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre be focused on a review of providing regional aquatic services through either the preferred expansion option (Option OO) to Ravensong Aquatic Centre or a separate stand-alone facility at another location within Oceanside.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is proceeding with the next phase of the design and planning for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre (RAC) expansion project. The addition of a second pool and other amenity improvements at RAC will provide residents with greater access to aquatic, fitness and wellness programming.

This next phase of the project will determine which expansion option best meets community needs while also considering cost implications. The RDN Board has identified two preferred options – Options 00 and C. Both include a new four-lane, 25 metre pool with ramp entry, renovated sauna and steam rooms, and new, or mostly new, change rooms, reception, lobby, public washrooms, staff support spaces and multipurpose room/classroom. Also included in the project will be seismic, electrical and mechanical upgrades and sustainability measures to meet current provincial code requirements and the RDN’s Green Building Policy.

The Oceanside Services Committee will receive a recommendation for the RAC expansion at their November 17, 2021 meeting. The report will provide refined timelines and any implications stemming from the City of Parksville’s progress on an aquatic centre in Parksville. If approved by the committee, the recommendation will then be put forward to the board for review and approval.

The target start date under consideration for the multi–phase project is late 2023 / early 2024. With direction provided by the OSC and RDN Board, the expansion will occur in two phases to minimize disruptions and closures to the public as well as allow more planning time to consider what pool aquatic space the community may want.

For more information on proposed expansion options please click here.

On June 10, 2021 the Oceanside Services Committee received a presentation from FaulknerBrowns Architects which provided options for phased expansion of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Following the presentation, the Oceanside Services Committee made the following four recommendations to be presented at the Regional District of Nanaimo Board meeting on June 22, 2021 for consideration:

1. That the design, project planning and financial planning for an expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre proceed with the assumption that there will be a need for a second pool tank in the future.

2. That should an expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre be completed in a phased approach over a number of years that Expansion Option OO and Expansion Option C be the preferred options.

3. That the design, project planning, and financial planning for an expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre continue with a target start date of 2023.

4. That a final preferred expansion option for Ravensong Aquatic Centre that considers the effects of the City of Parksville’s progress on an aquatic centre be provided at the November 17, 2021 Oceanside Services Committee meeting or sooner.

The FaulknerBrowns presentation can be viewed at the following link.

At the RDN Oceanside Services Committee meeting held February 11, 2021 elected officials discussed how the project being considered by the City of Parksville will influence the expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre that is currently being considered by the RDN.

From these discussions the Committee then made a recommendation to the RDN Board that a review of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion be completed by staff and the project’s architect to consider expansion of Ravensong in staged phases, starting with changerooms, that could occur independently with a view to providing the pool component at a later phase should the proposed pool in Parksville not come to fruition.

This recommendation will be brought forward to the RDN Board on February 23, 2021 for consideration.

The RDN anticipates ongoing discussions between the City of Parksville and the RDN on the municipality’s proposed multi-plex project including funding options and operational models being considered.

Work on the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion feasibility project has paused due to COVID-19 restrictions and the anticipated release of information to the Oceanside community by the City of Parksville on the City's Pool/Multiplex Feasibility Study.

FaulknerBrowns Architects presented to the OSC with preferred options for the Ravensong Aquatic Center on June 25, 2020. Recording of the meeting, agenda and minutes can be accessed at rdn.bc.ca/agendas-minutes-videos.

The staff report, presentation and other background documents from the meeting are available here under the Background Documents section.

Work does continue on this project at a reduced pace and all community engagement that would require pubic gatherings have been postponed. Further project updates will be announced when revised project schedules are available.

View the update presentation that was made by the project architect at the Thursday, February 13, 2020 meeting of the Oceanside Services Committee.

Thank you to those that have shared their thoughts with us to date. Four preliminary design options for a proposed expansion were presented at the open houses on January 20 and 23, 2020 for your consideration and discussion. If you missed the presentation or would like to view the panels, download the open house panels here.

We continue to look for community input to help guide the planning and design of proposed expansion to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project Survey # 2 is now available online. Your comments will help us to develop final recommended concept designs.

Complete the survey and be entered to win one of two 10X Active Passes.

Survey closes March 27, 2020