Conceptual design for Vernon's new Active Living Centre.
Image Credit: City of Vernon
February 26, 2024 - 4:04 PM
The design for Vernon's new indoor pool and recreation complex was approved by city council today and it includes several enhancements not in the original plan.
Council approved the design for the new Active Living Centre which will now be 12,000 square metres in size, 464 more than originally proposed, according to a City of Vernon news release issued today, Feb. 26.
“Throughout the referendum process, council heard that the community wanted a fun family-friendly facility designed for individuals of all ages and abilities,” Mayor Victor Cumming said in the release.
The original conceptual design for the aquatic centre included eight 50-meter long swimming lanes, two diving boards, a leisure pool with zero depth entry, a tot slide, spray features, a lazy river and a family hot tub along with a warm water teaching pool, a sauna, a steam room and an adult's only hot tub. A fitness centre, a double gymnasium, a synthetic track and eight multi-purpose activity and program rooms are included.
The city has added a water slide, a WOW WaveBall, a NINJACROSSTM course, additional interactive spray features and a cold plunge pool. The length of the walking and running track is now 185 metres and there will be a fourth lane.
"Council has made the decision to invest up to $15 million, in addition to the budgeted $121 million, to facilitate these enhancements that are over and above what was proposed in the initial feasibility study design,” Cumming said.
"(Active Living Centre) enhancements will be funded by reserves plus other grant opportunities will be pursued to offset costs. If needed, the additional $15 million identified will be accessed in 2026."
The enhancements along with the budget increase were added to ensure the centre meets the needs of Vernon as a rapidly growing community and to make Vernon a host for events to come.
“The facility has been made large enough to accommodate our community’s projected growth and to host events such as provincial swim meets and tournaments for a variety of sports with features like permanent raised spectator seating over the pool, portable bleachers and enough pool deck, gymnasium and multipurpose space to accommodate athletes, coaches, and officials," project manager Doug Ross said in the release.
For more information check out the Active Living Centre web page here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Gabrielle Adams or call (438) 830-1211 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2024