Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project

The RDN completed the final phase of developing a Recreation Services Master Plan for District 69 (Oceanside). It was approved by the RDN Board in May 2018, as a guiding document.
One of the key recommendations from the 2018 Master Plan is the exploration of expanding services/spaces provided at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Work on the concept and design planning project has already begun.
This project will include capital and operating cost estimates, a funding resource assessment, as well as a review of past expansion concept designs, parameters and priorities. The project will incorporate feedback from residents, user groups and elected officials.
Want to learn more or get involved?
- Be sure to register, we will provide email updates including when the community engagement events are, as the project progresses.
- Learn more about the expansion project by reading our background documents.
- Check out the FAQ's that are updated based on questions that we are asked.
- Ask us a question using the Q&A tab below.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the project, ask your questions and share your input!
The RDN completed the final phase of developing a Recreation Services Master Plan for District 69 (Oceanside). It was approved by the RDN Board in May 2018, as a guiding document.
One of the key recommendations from the 2018 Master Plan is the exploration of expanding services/spaces provided at the Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Work on the concept and design planning project has already begun.
This project will include capital and operating cost estimates, a funding resource assessment, as well as a review of past expansion concept designs, parameters and priorities. The project will incorporate feedback from residents, user groups and elected officials.
Want to learn more or get involved?
- Be sure to register, we will provide email updates including when the community engagement events are, as the project progresses.
- Learn more about the expansion project by reading our background documents.
- Check out the FAQ's that are updated based on questions that we are asked.
- Ask us a question using the Q&A tab below.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the project, ask your questions and share your input!
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June 2022 and July 2022 Oceanside Services Committee and RDN Board Give Direction on Expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPlease 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
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Feasibility advances to schematic design stage
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAt 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.
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RDN Board gives green light for the next phase of Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion planning
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe 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.
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Oceanside Services Committee Provides Recommendation to RDN Board
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOn 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.
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Update - February 2021
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAt 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.
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion - Update
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWork 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.
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Oceanside Services Committee (OSC) Presentation #2 Preferred Options
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkFaulknerBrowns 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.
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion - COVID 19 Pandemic
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkWork 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.
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Project Update Presentation to Oceanside Services Committee
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkView the update presentation that was made by the project architect at the Thursday, February 13, 2020 meeting of the Oceanside Services Committee.
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project Survey # 2 Available Online
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThank 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
Timeline
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May 2018 - District 69 (Oceanside) 2019-2029 Master Plan approved
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stage -
Nov 2019 - Stakeholder and User Groups Focus Groups
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stage -
December 2019 to January 7, 2020- Public Survey
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January 20 & 23, 2020 - Community Open Houses
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageFeedback gathered on four expansion design options
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February 13, 2020 - Update Report Presentation #1 to Oceanside Services Committee
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Feb-March 2020 Preferred Option Feedback/Survey
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June 25, 2020 - Update Report Presentation #2 to Oceanside Services Committee
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stagePreferred design option(s) presented to the OSC and recommendations made to the RDN Board. For more details see update.
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June 10, 2021 - Phased Options Update to Oceanside Services Committee
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageClick here to view what was presented at the recent OSC meeting with recommendations to the RDN Board.
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June 22, 2021 - RDN Board Meeting
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageThe Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board supported proceeding with the next phase of the design and planning for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre (RAC) expansion project.
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November 17, 2021 - Oceanside Services committee Meeting
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageThe Oceanside Services Committee will receive recommendations for the RAC expansion project.
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November , 2021 RDN Board gives direction for Next Stage of Expansion Design
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageOceanside Services Committee (OSC) recommend to the RDN Board that staff continue to plan for an expansion of Ravensong Aquatic Centre in phases that could be adapted.
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June 27, 2022 Oceanside Services Committee
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project has finished this stageOceanside Services Committee scheduled to receive an update on cost estimates for possible expansion to begin in 2023.
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RDN Board gives direction for next stage of Expansion
Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project is currently at this stageAt the July 12, 2022 regular meeting of the RDN Board the following motion related to the expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre was passed:
That the Regional District of Nanaimo proceed with option 1B as noted on page 4 of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion and Regional Aquatics for Oceanside Communities 2022-2024 Plan staff report.
That should funds be awarded to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Project from the Canada Community Building Fund Strategic Priorities Fund program stream, the timelines, including phasing options for the project, be re-evaluated, and revised to capitalize on awarded funds.
At the same meeting the RDN Board referred the following motion to an upcoming regular Board meeting
That a referendum occur concurrently with the referendum for the amendment to Bylaw 899.
Background Documents
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Presentations
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Oceanside Services Committee - June 11, 2021 (8.84 MB) (pdf)
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Oceanside Services Committee Options Report - June 25, 2020 (211 KB) (pdf)
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Oceanside Services Committee Options Presentation - June 25, 2020 (5.15 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment 1 Preferred Options Summary - June 25, 2020 OSC (1.04 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment 2 Financial Projections Options - June 25, 2020 OSC (693 KB) (pdf)
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Oceanside Services Committee - February 13, 2020 (27.7 MB) (pdf)
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Oceanside Services Committee - Project Introduction - Nov 14, 2019 (4.56 MB) (pdf)
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News Releases
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Open Houses Presentation Boards - Jan 20 & 23, 2020 (9.11 MB) (pdf)
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Ravensong OSC Presentation_June 27 FINAL R4 email.pdf (13 MB) (pdf)
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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion and Regional Aquatics for Oceanside Communities 2022 - 2024 PLAN .pdf (291 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment 1 - Ravensong Aquatic Centre Design and Phasing Options Summary.pdf (1.9 MB) (pdf)
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Attachment 2 - Class C Cost Estimates Ravensong Aquatic Centre Original Option (OO).pdf (294 KB) (pdf)
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Attachment 3 - Tax Requisition Per Funding Member – EA E Included at Usage, Assessment and 13.pdf (187 KB) (pdf)
Photos
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Who's listening
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Manager, Recreation Services
Email dbanman@rdn.bc.ca