Project
REC-REATE – Strathcona Gardens Revitalization Project
Need
The aging facility can’t meet full demand for programs and services.
Goal
Provide an improved facility that meets the community’s recreational needs and provides for future development of services in a sustainable, safe, and inclusive environment.
Timeline
- Needs Assessment and Condition Assessment Reports – Completed in 2015 and 2016
- Planning (Feasibility study) – Completed in 2018
- Grant Applications to Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – 2019 and 2020 (unsuccessful)
- Procurement – Detailed Design (RFP) – Completed in March 2021
- Detailed Design – Started Spring 2021 and was completed in the Fall of 2022
- Union of BC Municipalities – Canada Community Building Fund Grant application –2022 (unsuccessful)
- SRD Board of Directors approves 2023-2027 Financial Plan – $73 Million for REC-REATE – 2023
- Infrastructure Canada Grant – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program – 2023 (unsuccessful)
- Request for Quotes – March 2024 to June 2024
- Construction – Planned to start Fall 2024 (subject to Board approval)
After completing the detailed design of the REC-REATE project in 2022, the estimated construction costs were $54 million. However, due to rising construction costs , the project cost has escalated to $69.8 million.
Background on Current Facility
Address: 225 S. Dogwood St. Campbell River
Owner/Operator: Strathcona Regional District
Originally Constructed:
1972: Rod Brind’Amour Arena
1979: Main Pool
1995: Rink 2, Leisure ice, leisure pool, lobby
2019-2020: Energy Upgrade (boilers, refrigeration plants & air handling units)
Average # Annual Users: 150,000
Population served by the facility: 36,700 (2016)
Projected population: 41,500 (2035)
Total Staff: 90
Available Parking: 200+ spaces
Accessibility Features: Ex: Aquatic chair, dressing rooms, aquatic wheelchairs, lift to second floor.
EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES/FEATURES
Arenas
- Rod Brind’Amour Arena (rink 1) – 85×200 ft., 742 seats
- Rink 2 – 85×200 ft., 150 seats
- Leisure ice area – 4,000 sq/ft.
- Dressing rooms (4 for rink 1, 6 for rink 2 and Leisure Ice)
- Skate Shop: sharpening and rental services
Aquatics
- Main Pool – 37.5 m
- Leisure pool and waterslide
- Hot tub, dry and steam saunas
- Change rooms
Fitness
- Weight room
- Fitness Studio
Other
- Concession
- Meeting Rooms
- Offices
- Lobby, ancillary spaces
SNAPSHOT OF TODAY’S STRATHCONA GARDENS USERS
Strathcona Gardens is a well-used recreational facility in the community. According to a survey in 2015:
- 71% of area households reported having at least one member use the facility
- 72% of CR households had at least one household member visit
- 64% of Area D households had at least one household member visit
- 95% of area households with children at home used Strathcona Gardens
Aquatic facilities have the highest level of use, followed by ice and/or floor (ice out) facilities
The highest use of fitness/rehabilitation activities or programs is by older users: 55-64 (22%) and 65+(17%)
KEY DATES – STRATHCONA GARDENS PLANNING
- 1998 Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex Operational Review
- 2006 Arena Facility Needs Report (September), Wellness Centre Final Report (October
- 2007 Building Condition Report
- Jan 2015 Launch of REC-REATE community engagement process
- Jan-Mar 2015 Community survey, interviews and workshops with user groups and community
- Jun 30, 2015 Facility Needs Assessment – Final report submitted.
- Feb 2016 Strathcona Gardens Commission establishes reserve fund to support REC-REATE.
- Jun 2016 Feasibility study for improvement.
- Fall 2016 SRD creates Community Advisory Group to share input/info on REC-REATE project.
- Jun 2017 Feasibility study presented to Strathcona Gardens Commission.
- Sept-Oct 2017 Interactive public events were held in September 2017, and update meetings for the public and user groups were held in October. An online survey garnered input from over 350 residents with over 95 per cent of respondents saying they feel Strathcona Gardens plays an important role in providing the region with recreation services, and they support a major redevelopment of the facility.
- April 2018 Revised design approved by SRD board.
- Nov 2018 Schematic design approved by SRD board.
- Jan 2019 Grant application submitted to the Canada-British Columbia Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture and Recreation Stream.
- March 2020 Initial Grant application not approved for funding.
- June 2020 Announcement of Second Funding Grant Opportunity.
- Oct 2020 Second grant application submitted to the Canada-British Columbia Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
- Summer 2021 Second grant application not approved for funding.
- March 2021 Detailed Design of Phase One started.
- June 2022 Grant application submitted to UBCM Canada Community-Building Fund – Strategic Priorities Stream
- November 2022 Issued for Tender drawings completed, concluding the detailed design phase.
- January 2023 – The Strathcona Gardens Commission supported the addition of Rod Brind’Amour Arena to the project.
- February 2023 – Grant application submitted to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Due to the high demand and high quality of the applications, many projects which scored strongly were not selected. This was the case with our project.
- October 2023 – Electoral Approval to borrow funds to the REC-REATE Project phase one and two obtained.
- January 2024 – Prequalification of key trades
- March 2024 – Tendering
- June 2024 – Tendering results and Board decision for next steps
- Construction anticipated Fall and completed in Spring 2027