Delta residents will have their say on three proposed location options for the new Winskill Aquatic & Fitness Centre in Tsawwassen.
Council last week discussed a staff report on the public engagement process that’s getting underway on the design for a facility that will cost in the $120-to-$130 million range. An architect has been selected.
The first phase of the public engagement runs through to June 16, with a report on the results of the public feedback presented to council on July 22.
The public engagement will include neighbourhood information sessions and community open houses.
The next phase of engagement begins in October and a finalized design is anticipated by February 2025.
The new facility will include, among other features, an eight-lane lap pool that can be expanded to 10 lanes, an accessible hot tub and steam room and a fully equipped fitness centre that will be double in size from the current facility.
One of the options is referred to as the West Option, a new facility immediately west of the current building, fronting 9th Ave. It includes centralized parking for 350 spaces. The three ball diamonds would be maintained with an option for a fourth at the northeast corner of the site, but a new location would be needed for disc golf. The old lawn bowling area is proposed to be a flex lawn area, while the intersection at 9th Ave. would remain the same.
The second option, referred to as the North Option, would have a new facility fronting 56th St. Three of the ball diamonds at Winskill Park would be maintained but one of them would need to be relocated. A new intersection would be needed at 10th Ave. and 56the St., while the U13 ball diamond would have to be relocated to the northwest corner. There would also be an option for a fourth ball diamond at the southwest corner.
The third option, referred to as the South Option, would have a new building also fronting 56th St., but further down the site with the three ball diamonds having to be relocated. A new right-in/right-out access would be added at 10the Ave. at 56th St., while there would be the option for a fourth ball diamond at the southwest corner of the site.
The anticipated timeline would see groundbreaking next year with the new facility opening in 2027, at which time the old building would close.
City staff are proposing that the project be primarily funded by borrowing, but the city will also be actively seeking grant funding opportunities and exploring other funding sources.
