Well, it's certainly a facility Mr. George Wilson can get behind.
The planned $80 million, 110,000 square-feet Minoru aquatics and seniors centre floor plan, designed by the HMCA architect firm, was unveiled to the city's public works committee Wednesday.
Among the key features is a separation of the pool and seniors centre lobby to "avoid conflicts" among different users, stated a city report.
Dennis will be no menace at this facility.
The pool facility is decidedly catering to older adults and seniors. It will feature two small 25-metre lap pools in addition to a leisure pool, hot pools and saunas. There will be no diving boards over one-metre. Enhanced accessibility will also be a design mainstay.
Architects said the design will incorporate natural light and the seniors centre and pool facility will share some common spaces.
The city stated it engaged in consultation with nine stakeholder groups, including the Aquatics Services Board. The city also held four open houses this month, whereby it notified the general public of the decisions that had been made, to date. People were able to comment on the project.
Coun. Harold Steves asked if a 50-metre pool was possible.
Robert Gonzalez, the city's manager of public works, replied with several negative consequences such as a bigger footprint and less parking and, potentially altering the seniors complex, making it less accessible.
Steves said he wanted the option of a 50-metre pool for competitions, even if it would cost an additional $8 million (according to Gonzalez).
Steves also dismissed parking concerns, saying the city could build a $10 million parkade or use the old pool space as parking. He suggested the seniors centre needn't be impacted.
City council candidate Alexa Loo suggested council should not have planned the pool only after it committed a specific amount of cash. The former Olympian said a 50-metre pool should be incorporated.
Aquatics board chair Ian MacLeod told the committee the project needs to move forward after years of talking about a new facility. He noted the board did not believe a competitive pool is amongst the pressing needs of pool users at Minoru.
City staff noted Watermania hosts competitions (although its lease will expire soon). Coun. Linda McPhail said the region is already well served with 50-metre pool facilities.
