Beban Pool will remain closed to the public through 2021 however work continues to upgrade the building inside. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

RENOVATIONS

COVID closures allowing for upgrades to key Nanaimo recreation facilities

Apr 1, 2021 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Three recreation facilities in the city are receiving some additional upgrades to ready them for when people return post-pandemic.

A total of $255,000 was approved by Council on March 29 for washroom and change room upgrades to the currently closed Beban Park pool.

Art Groot, director of facilities and parks maintenance, told NanaimoNewsNOW the project adds to work done through 2020 during an excess of time without people in the building.

“Everything from working on the pool deck drains to mechanical filter pits, pumps, pipes, motors, the leisure pool…there was just a significant major overhaul done and everything we always wish we had a little more time for, we were able to realize that.”

New upgrades will include improvements to flooring in the change rooms, touch-free faucets, soap and paper towel dispensers along with touch-free flushing on toilets.

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“It’s going to give us the opportunity to update these spaces and modernize them a little bit more and just add some features to the floors and walls, making it easier to clean and just some great opportunity around improved lighting and additional safety features.”

The pool will remain closed through 2021 as demand at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, which re-opened in September 2020, is not high enough to justify operating both facilities.

The Port Theatre was also given the green light for a $712,199 replacement of the facility’s chiller. The option forwarded by staff to Council on March 29 required $500,799 in additional funding from reserves after the initial budget for the project was insufficient.

Scott Pamminger told the city’s finance and audit committee on March 17 despite being more expensive than originally thought, the unit provides additional environmental benefits and cost savings over time.

“The equipment, the way it’s set up is certain areas of the building can be heating mode, certain can be cooling at the same time. With that ability it has greater greenhouse gas reduction potential than [other options].”

The city expects greenhouse gas emissions to reduce 92 per cent compared to using natural gas and is projected to save $19,154 each year. A grant from the government’s CleanBC program could offset up to $159,000 in costs.

Serauxman Stadium was also given an increased budget, with $59,113 from general reserves added for additional maintenance at the stadium.

The venue will play host to the WCL’s Nanaimo NightOwls as the major tenant beginning in June, with a partnership in development between the team and city to take over aspects of the stadium maintenance and operation.

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alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley