Crystal Pool Replacement Project

Nearly 59% of voters support the City borrowing up to $168.9 million to build a new facility.
Nearly 61% of voters support the North site option.
15,547 residents voted, over 21% of registered voters.
View detailed elections results.
 

The timeline and plans for facility closure will be refined later this year. 

The public will have to use other pools in the region during construction much like when the pool is closed for annual maintenance or unplanned repair work.

A team of experts with a track record of successfully delivering pool and recreation facilities across the country are working on the replacement project. The budgets follow the City's updated financial policies that ensure ample contingencies are included to manage risks effectively. The budget estimates have factored in the current stage of the project, market escalation and volatility plus inflation over the life of the project. Robust risk management and governance strategies are also being used to ensure scope, timelines and costs are well managed. 

The City will be pursuing all opportunities for additional funding for the replacement project. The City has applied for a $25 million grant and will continue to pursue additional grant opportunities as the project proceeds. Additionally, the City will explore other revenue-generating avenues, such as sponsorships and naming rights for the new facility.

The total project budget covers all costs from design to project closeout. It was developed by expert engineers, architects, and construction project management professionals experienced in building aquatic facilities. The estimates adhere to industry best practices and were peer reviewed and supported by detailed risk analysis and construction implementation plans.

Approximately $24 million is reserved as project contingencies for unforeseen issues such as delays or extra labor needs. This allocation helps keep the project on track without unexpected budget shortfalls. 

In addition, about $31.8 million is set aside as a cost escalation allowance to cover price increases from inflation and market changes. This measure ensures that rising costs, such as those for materials, do not compromise the overall budget. 

In total, the budget includes roughly $55.8 million in contingency funds. For more information, see the financial summary presented to Council as part of the Feasibility Study staff report.
 

A comprehensive public engagement process on the Crystal Pool replacement project took place in three phases in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Over 4,400 people participated in three phases of engagement which included open houses, surveys, focus groups, stakeholder meetings and pop-up engagement at community events. This community input informed the facility's features, design and guiding principles of the design.

The new facility aims to be a place where everyone feels welcome. Accessibility and inclusion are embedded into all aspects of the new facility's design, features and future operations.  

The new facility design follows universal design principles and will pursue Rick Hansen Certification. Universal design ensures meaningful access to all parts of the facility. Key features include:

• fully accessible circulation
• clear wayfinding
• multiple options to access pools
• level transitions throughout the facility
• large universal washroom and change rooms

With a focus on the intersectional needs of our communities, the new facility will promote all facets of physical, mental and social health and wellness to benefit people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

Approximately 14 trees will need to be removed and for Central Park South, 29 trees will need to be removed. The City will work with the design team and arborist to minimize the impacts to other trees during construction.

Locations for replacement trees have been identified and it is feasible to replace all trees removed due to construction on site. 

The Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is at the end of its useful life and is no longer meeting the needs of the community. An in-depth facility assessment has revealed that many of the building systems and components are failing and require significant investment to keep the facility operational. 

Many of the facility’s systems and components are at or near end-of-life and require significant investment to maintain operations. The facility has accessibility barriers that prevent equitable use, plus the building is the City’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. 

The pool drainage system, waterproofing and parts of the building structure including the skylights are at greatest risk of failure.

As the City’s only public pool and a provider of a wide range of programming, this facility provides an essential service to residents and visitors in Victoria. Replacing this facility will ensure that it continues to meet the community’s social, health and wellness needs for years to come.
Recreation centres play an important role in building strong, inclusive and resilient communities. A new Crystal Pool facility will create opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy the spaces and programs.