The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) will be hosting a series of open houses in January to update the community on revised plans for the facility.
Plans for the Golden & Electoral Area A Indoor Aquatic Centre have been scaled back after cost estimates on the original project design came back significantly over budget.
The CSRD is working with HCMA Architecture + Design, as well as project manager, Make Projects Ltd, and members of the original Community Advisory Committee on re-designing the project to try and meet the budget targets for a base-level indoor aquatic facility. The project team has developed a phased approach to the facility, which will allow for some amenities to be added later.
These plans will be the focus of three open house sessions set for:
- Tuesday, January 23 from 4:30 to 7 PM at the Golden Civic Centre,
- Wednesday, January 24 from 1 to 3 PM at the Field Community Centre,
- Wednesday, January 24 from 6 to 8 PM at the Parson Community Hall.
Residents are encouraged to attend and find out more about the latest architectural plans, proposed budget and timelines. The sessions are also designed to answer public questions and obtain community feedback.
In 2022, voters in the Town of Golden and Electoral Area A showed overwhelming support with 72 per cent of the ballots being cast in favour of borrowing $18 million to construct an indoor aquatic centre. The remaining funds to develop the project will need to be raised through grant opportunities with other levels of government, outside agencies and fundraising efforts.
“These open house information sessions are important to engage the residents on the progress of the proposed Aquatic Centre. There has been much work achieved to date, however, more work will need to be done to address the costs,” says Electoral Area A Director Karen Cathcart.
“The Regional District, along with the Town of Golden, HCMA, Make Projects and Buttcon Construction are working hard to get costs in line. I encourage residents to attend so we can provide information on where this project sits and the next steps to move it forward,” she adds.
For more information on the project, visit the project overview page on the goldenondeck.ca website.
