Regional District of Nanaimo board of directors approved a motion to resubmit a $7M federal grant application for a revised design plan to upgrade Ravensong Aquatic Centre. (RDN)

By Jordan Davidson

revised project

RDN reapplies for federal grant for scaled back $13.5M Ravensong Aquatic Centre upgrades

Oct 15, 2025 | 5:39 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A new federal application is being made to upgrade Oceanside’s only aquatic recreation facility, after voters rejected the original expansion plans and budget.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) voted in favour of staff submitting a revised application to the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program for up to $7 million in funding to upgrade Ravensong Aquatic Centre with a new project scope.

RDN director for the City of Parksville Sean Wood said he supports this motion, with RDN staff noting they can reject the grant if the full amount is awarded, which would mean the project plans would once again have to be adjusted.

“Often what we do here at this board is ask for provincial or federal funding to help with what we’d like to see here at the local level, and all this is is a grant application and the board will have off-ramps if we get all or some or none of this grant granted to us.”

Electoral Area E director Bob Rogers was the lone opposing vote to advance the scaled back plan to improve the Qualicum Beach pool.

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The revised project scope includes accessibility upgrades such as addressing existing barriers to improve safe mobility and accommodate diverse user needs.

Emission reduction and energy conservation upgrades, such as low-emission and efficient systems to mitigate overheating, conserve water to save operations costs and reduce environmental impact.

Mechanical assessment of equipment in both dry and wet areas to determine what could be upgraded, including variable speed pumps, alternative filtration systems, and upgrading or replacing heat pumps.

The revised project now costs around $13.5 million, which includes the $7 million in federal grant funding, $5.6 million worth of taxpayer dollars already earmarked, as well as another $850,000 coming from operational reserves.

A little over $117,000 is being reallocated from the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Renovation Project for the new designs and application.

In order to meet the available funding requirements, two optional items have also been removed from the project.

According to the RDN report, this design could result in an estimated annual energy savings of 47.5 per cent, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 84 per cent better than the existing building, saving approximately $22,000 in annual energy costs.

RDN staff will report back to a future Oceanside Services Committee meeting once the grant application is approved or not.

It’s expected to take 6-12 months before receiving a decision from the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

In April, voters rejected the RDN’s attempt to borrow up to $30 million to vastly expand the centre through a referendum, with just under 61 per cent voting in opposition.

The Oceanside Services Committee (OSC) was tasked with discussing the scope of renovations to the 30-year-old facility later that month.

Last fall RDN directors advanced the proposed expansion of the pool to referendum, leading to several public engagement sessions prior to the plan’s overwhelming rejection.

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