Rendering of the front entrance of a planned multi-plex facility featuring a pool in Parksville. The Despard Ave. location is listed as a test site in a newly released feasibility study. (City of Parksville)

By Ian Holmes

pool project

Site and scope of planned Parksville pool/multi-plex concept announced

Feb 3, 2021 | 5:27 AM

PARKSVILLE — A long-discussed aquatic centre in Parksville is transitioning to a detailed design stage to nail down amenities, potential costing and management of the facility.

A newly released feasibility study for the City of Parksville favours additional amenities beyond an indoor pool, including a separate leisure pool, gymnasium and indoor fitness track.

The proposed location at the north end of Despard Ave. is a section of City-owned property mayor Ed Mayne said is zoned for institutional use and not in the agricultural land reserve.

Proposed location of a multi-plex featuring an indoor pool in Parksville. (City of Parksville)

Mayor Mayne said it’s clear user groups and the general public wanted something beyond only a pool.

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“They (consultant) came back hands down that there was a need for a swimming pool and sports plex in the city of Parksville and that it would be well used within the city.”

The City put a self-imposed budget cap of $50 million for the ambitious project, which Mayne noted would be the most expensive such initiative in Parksville’s history.

“There’s way to make this work at that level. If we get much over that and I think we’ll start to run into a lot of push back from residents and rightfully so.”

The initiative is anything but a slam dunk — it would require electoral approval in order to proceed.

Mayne acknowledged the intended aquatic centre site near the Parksville Wetlands “has some challenges” and he expects some public resistence.

Environmental experts will be among those ensuring nearby ecologically sensitive areas would not be disturbed, Mayne emphasized.

“I think that’s the really important part here for that location. This will not be detrimental for the environment or we won’t do it there.”

Two other locations were pitched by the City for the project: Jensen Ave. and off Industrial Way at the southern edge of Parksville.

The City sees a multi-plex featuring a pool as a key attraction for retaining familes to Parksville and fulfilling leisure needs for all ages.

A six lane, 25 metre swimming pool is being contemplated in Parksville, which Mayne concedes is half the length of a competitive sized pool, which he said would be “considerably more expensive.”

Multi-purpose space for small to large public events is ear marked for the facility.

Mayne said a consultant will be hired by the City in the coming weeks to handle the detailed design phase, which will include further public feedback.

He said a virtual town hall meeting is in the works for early March.

Parksville will request considerable senior government grants to support capital costs, Mayne said.

Extensive details on the multi-plex concept in Parksville and ways to offer your opinion can be found here.

The Regional District of Nanaimo delayed its feasibility work to potentially expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach due to Parksvile’s pool feasibility study and the pandemic.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmesS