In June 2024, Council approved the Crystal Pool Replacement Project moving forward to referendum. Victoria voters will have the chance to weigh in on the loan required to build a new facility plus a preferred site option at the referendum on February 8, 2025.
Two locations in Central Park are being considered for the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre:
The current location of the Crystal Pool (North)
The location of the playground, tennis and basketball courts (South)
Image
Facility Features
For both site options, the design for the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre is a high-quality health and wellness facility that is climate resilient and universally accessible.
Regardless of the chosen site, features of the new pool area will include:
50 m pool with moveable bulkhead
Leisure pool with 25 m warm-up lanes, a shallow area, play features and a lazy river
Two hot pools at different temperatures
Sauna and steam room
Seating and viewing areas
The recreation centre will also have:
Large fitness studio
Multi-purpose rooms for sports, dance, fitness, wellness and art
Community gathering spaces
Universal washroom and change room options
Expanded parking including accessible and EV charging options
Short- and long-term bike parking
Artistic rendering of the pool area of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Artistic rendering of the fitness studio of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Artistic rendering of the lobby and reception area of the new facility by hcma Architecture + Design.
Site Options and Borrowing Amounts
Each option has a unique design and budget. For both options, a total of $47 M will be used from City reserve funds to reduce the amount of borrowing required. While the City is seeking additional funding from other levels of government to reduce the borrowing amount, until those are confirmed the referendum must seek the highest borrowing amount required. Budget tables can be viewed in the drop-down sections lower on this page.
Common to both options:
A portion of the green space in Central Park would be used as construction staging area
A new traffic signal at Quadra and Princess will improve safety and access to the facility
A new multi-use pathway connecting through the park to Vancouver Street at Princess
North
Borrowing required to build this option is $162.2 M
Shorter overall construction schedule and less complex construction plan
Impact to property taxes would be an average of $232 per residence for 20 years
Using current location of the Crystal Pool reduces required excavation and tree loss
Existing facility closed during construction
Central Park playground, sports courts and outdoor fitness equipment open during construction
Fitness and recreation services relocated during construction
Image
South
Borrowing required to build this option is $168.9 M
Longer overall construction schedule and more complex phased construction plan
Impact to property taxes would be an average of $240 per residence for 20 years
Building would maximize the existing clearing but some trees would need to be removed and several more would be at risk of significant damage during construction
Sports courts, playground and outdoor fitness equipment closed during construction
Park amenities temporarily relocated in the North Park neighbourhood during construction where possible
After the new facility is built, the old facility demolished and the underground parking built in its place, the park amenities would be relocated to the north side of the park, in the location of the existing Crystal Pool
Current facility may remain open during construction but choosing this site does not guarantee that the pool will last until the end of construction
There is a high risk of systems failing and lost investments plus damage due to construction activity is possible which could cause a sudden and unplanned closure
Parking lot would not be built until about 18 months after the facility opens which would add pressure to neighbourhood parking; 35 on-street parking spaces would be temporarily added to Queens and Pembroke Streets
Image
Subscribe for Updates
Sign-up to receive updates on the Crystal Pool Replacement Project.
The total project budget includes all project costs from design to project close out.
The budgets were prepared by a team of experts experienced at building aquatic facilities, externally peer reviewed and informed by a detailed risk analysis and construction implementation plan.
For more information, see the financial summary presented to Council as part of the Feasibility Study staff report.
Property Tax Impacts
Tax increases would be gradually phased in over four to five years. The averages listed would be the amount paid per year for 20 years once the facility is open.
Central Park North
Central Park South
Estimated tax increase (%)
7.24%
7.54%
Average residential cost ($)
$232
$240
Average business cost ($)
$596
$620
Estimates are based on the average 2024 residential property, assessed at $1,046,000 and a typical business at $733,000.
The property tax impacts shown in the table are the total tax increase which will be phased in over five years.
For the North option, taxes would be increased by about $45 per year for five years, starting in 2026. For the average property, the five years of increases would total $232. After which, there would be no additional increases but the $232 would then be paid each year for 20 years then phased out.
For the South option, taxes would be increased by about $60 per year for five years, starting in 2026. For the average property , the five years of increases would total $240. After which, there would be no additional increases but the $240 would then be paid each year for 20 years and then phased out.
These estimates are based on the average home values identified above.
Project Timeline
Image
Central Park North:
Design: 21 months
Construction: 41 months including eight months of demolition of the existing facility at the start of construction
New facility and parking both open 62 months after start of project
Central Park South:
Design: 15 months
Construction: 52 months in two phases
Phase 1: building the new facility (36 months)
Phase 2: demolition of the old facility (eight months) then building the underground parking lot and park amenities above parking (10 months)
New facility open 51 months after start of project.
Playground, sports courts and parking open 18 months later.
FAQ
The referendum will be on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For all the voting details including advance voting opportunities, accessible voting options and ID required to vote, visit victoria.ca/referendum.
When voting in the Crystal Pool Referendum, you will receive a double-sided ballot with two questions.
SIDE 1: Loan Authorization (Crystal Pool Replacement) Bylaw Vote Yes or No
Are you in favour of the City of Victoria adopting the Loan Authorization (Crystal Pool Replacement) Bylaw No. 24-054 to borrow up to $168,900,000, repayable over a term not exceeding 20 years, for the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre and to enter into agreements longer than five years for that purpose? Yes No
SIDE 2: Crystal Pool Preferred Site Location Vote for one (1)
What is your preference for the location of the new Crystal Pool and Wellness Centre? Central Park North Central Park South
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.
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.
This facility was not designed as a regional facility. It was designed to meet the needs of Victoria's residents, both today and as the City continues to grow with an expanded size and range of new amenities.
There is a demonstrated current need for more swims for all uses: recreation, fitness, sport, leisure and therapy swims. Demand at the existing facility is already exceeding the anticipated growth projected in the 2017 feasibility study with over 400,000 visits annually (about 1,200 visits per day).
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.
The North site option uses the existing building footprint and has fewer tree impacts. The South site would maximize the existing clearing but would require more trees to be removed.
Both sites have trees ranging in health, size, species and ability to withstand impacts of construction. It is estimated that for Central Park North, 14 trees will need to be removed and for Central Park South, 29 trees will need to be removed. Additionally, 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 for both site options and it is feasible to replace all trees removed due to construction on site.
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.
If Victoria voters choose not to support borrowing to build a new facility, staff will return to Council to seek direction on potential next steps.
The facility condition assessment has revealed that many of the systems are at or beyond their useful life which means they could fail at any time.
The City has made significant investments to maintain services and keep the building operational – about $2 M in upgrades since 2017. Given the age of the building and its various systems, parts are getting harder to find which means some systems need to be redesigned if they fail again.
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 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, both site options include 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.
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 if the project proceeds. Additionally, the City will explore other revenue-generating avenues, such as sponsorships and naming rights for the new facility.
The first feasibility study in 2016-17 explored the possibility of renovating, expanding or replacing the facility. The study determined that modernizing the aging facility to meet the needs of the community, current building codes and accessibility standards would be challenging. Council chose to move forward with replacing the facility.
Project Background
The Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is an aging facility built in 1971 that is no longer meeting the needs of the community. Its components are at or near end-of-life and require significant investment to maintain operations, plus the building is the City’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
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.
After completing a feasibility study in 2017, Council made the decision to replace the Crystal Pool. However, the project faced significant delays due to subsequent changes in Council direction, unforeseen activities, and the need for additional workshops and studies. The replacement project was then postponed in early 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2023, Council directed staff to revive the process of planning and budgeting for a new recreation and aquatic centre, and to study the implications of locating a new aquatic recreation facility on up to four potential sites.
Over the past three years, the City has focused on addressing risks to service interruptions and priority life cycle maintenance work. This has included significant capital investment in upgrades to the heating and air handling systems and other modifications.
Information Kiosks
Check out information kiosks at Mayfair Mall, the Bay Centre and in the Crystal Pool lobby.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions about the Crystal Pool Replacement Project or need assistance with any of the materials on this page, get in touch by email or phone, 250.361.0210.