City‘Soft opening’ set for Family Day 2024

Continued from page 1 know that we’re really close to getting it done and it’s so close to time on such a complex project,” he said. “I really appreciate that ”

A report to council outlined the phased opening of the new community centre and the closure of Centennial Community Centre (see information box at right)

According to the report, the closure of Centennial Community Centre in November is “vitally important” to the opening schedule of təməsewtxʷ Aquatic and Community Centre and to completing Phase 2 of the project in the summer of 2024.

To address the disruption of programs between the closure of Centennial Community Centre in November 2023 and the opening of təməsewtxʷ in

February 2024, city staff are working on plans to add community programs in other facilities and to offer some programs in other spaces in the city

Coun Daniel Fontaine noted the gap between the closure of Centennial and the opening of the new facility and questioned whether the city is factoring potential delays in the opening into its planning for community programs.

“We’ve factored in a potential delay already,” said Corrinne Garrett, senior manager of recreation services and facilities “We’ve given ourselves six weeks to onboard staff and get them trained and ready for the facility We have already planned in that potentially, we will actually try to start planning those programs sooner So we want to over-deliver and under-promise ”

Phased Work

Phase 1 which is expected to be complete in January 2024 includes the new facility and the surrounding parking lot and landscaping works on the East Sixth Avenue and McBride Boulevard sides of the building The report says this will be a “significant milestone” and is effectively the time when the contractor hands over the keys to the city

Phase 2 targeted for completion in July 2024 will begin with the closure of Centennial Community Centre It will include demolition of that building and parking and landscaping works on the side of the site near Cumberland Street and the Royal City Curling Club.

When the city broke ground on the project in April 2021, it projected the new aquatic and commu- nity centre would open in October 2023.

The council report says the “three-month adjustment” is due to extensive ground improvement required that was beyond the original design, as well as industry-wide concrete shortages caused by a labour dispute from a major supplier

Key dates

First week of November 2023: Last day of programs and services at Centennial Community Centre and a farewell celebration to the facility

November: The city will relocate items to storage at təməsewtxw

Early January 2024: The city takes possession of təməsewtxw Aquatic and Community Centre

Coun Tasha Henderson acknowledged the challenges the project has faced during the pandemic

“It’s a real feat,” she said “And so I think staff should be really congratulated for keeping us going. And we’re all on countdown until we can get in there ”

February: A phased start-up of community recreation programs will begin at təməsewtxw (such as Discovery Playtime, registered drop-in sports and cycle classes, fitness centre and group fitness, arts)

Family Day weekend – Feb. 18, 2024: Soft opening of programs at the facility, including aquatics, youth and senior services and Hyack Swim Club

March: Grand opening

April: Facility rental services will begin