2351 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Is pool use on the up-swing in our society, generally? Is that something that we need more of, per-capita, or less?

I haven’t been to a pool in so long, I can’t remember when my last visit was. 13-14 years ago, or thereabouts.

[lanforod]

I've never been to the Crystal Pool, but SCP and Gordon Head rec always seem very busy.

[aastra]

Methinks decent public pools are pretty high on the list re: if modern governments can't do this kind of fundamental stuff anymore then turn out the lights because the show's over.

I suppose another unexpected twist here could be some high-density residential at Central Park (because high-density residential is now lawful good all of a sudden, if the government and/or their partners are the ones building it). Every issue needs to be soaked in contradiction and hypocrisy these days, so methinks stuffing lots of housing in the formerly ultra-precious park along with the new pool would fit the bill nicely. Some people would complain, some people would cheer, the price tag would remain outrageously high... mission accomplished.

[Nparker]

...I suppose another unexpected twist here could be some high-density residential at Central Park...stuffing lots of housing in the formerly ultra-precious park along with the new pool would fit the bill nicely...

And would justify the need for a new park along Blanshard 

Housing along Blanshard is a complete mistake because 3 blocks is much too far to expect anyone to walk to get some exercise.

 

[Victoria Watcher]

The housing can go OVER the pool.

[Nparker]

True. It can also go along Blanshard where no park is needed.

[aastra]

If we're serious about stacking things then I think I'd prefer the pool on top, then the housing, then the park, then the parking.

[Victoria Watcher]

According to city staff, time is not on the city’s side. The delay in making a decision on what to do with Crystal Pool has already nearly tripled the estimated cost.

 

There’s an additional $76.5 million due to the increased costs of labour and materials, and interest-rate pressures; increased “soft costs” of about $33 million; $15.5 million for underground parking; and $14 million as a result of building code and energy regulation changes.

 

 

https://www.timescol...million-9065980

 

 

The city has talked about replacing the facility for years due to the need for costly upgrades, the cost of maintenance estimated at about $2 million a year and its inefficient use of energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2M per year for maintenance is nothing, compared to the cost of a new facility.  Other energy upgrades can also be made.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 June 2024 - 05:39 AM.

[Mike K.]

Nearly tripled the estimated cost? It has quadrupled.

It started at $58 million and is now approaching $233 million depending on which option they choose.

[Victoria Watcher]

That will mean a big hit to the property tax bill. The average residential taxpayer will see a $64 annual increase to the property tax bill for the first three years during construction, followed by increases of $48 and $16 in years four and five.

 

Once the new building is open, the average residential taxpayer would pay an additional $256 per year for 20 years, while the typical business would pay $660 per year to finance the new facility.

[Nparker]

If the existing facility can be repaired for a century for less than the cost of replacement, the sane decision seems rather obvious to me.

[bugeyed]

The housing can go OVER the pool.

Wasn't this the plan before Covid?  

[GaryOak]

I don't think they can build housing on the Central Park land due to an existing covenant similar to the one for beacon Hill Park

[Mike K.]

I’ve never heard of that before. Interesting.

[Victoria Watcher]

“Having said that, others have remarked on the challenging times in which we are presented with this decision and the fact that our public have given us, in my view, a variety of opinions on what’s important to do right now. I’m not 100 per cent certain that this is the right time to be expending $200 million on a recreation centre. Having said that, I am content with putting that question to the public.”

 

If the Crystal Pool referendum motion is passed in council, staff said it imagines it would take at least six months for all the procedural steps to take place, and the earliest the referendum could take place would be in the first quarter of 2025.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...ations-1209470/

[Victoria Watcher]

https://www.cheknews...ations-1209470/

 

 

 

A referendum on whether to borrow money for Crystal Pool and where the new facility should be located has passed its first hurdle on Thursday.

 

Victoria’s committee of the whole unanimously voted to hold a referendum posing two questions to voters — whether the city should borrow up to $168.9 million to build a new recreation facility to replace Crystal Pool, and whether the new facility should be built in Central Park North or South.

 

Victoria staff recommended the pool be built in Central Park North, which is the current location of the pool. This would mean Crystal Pool would be closed for approximately 41 months while construction takes place, though staff recommended relocating the dry land activities to Crystal Gardens.

[Nparker]

I recommend the CoV continues to put money into maintaining the current facility for the next 84 years (about the cost of replacement). If it can be closed for 41 months for construction, perhaps there is no need for a recreation facility at all.

[Victoria Watcher]

The town of Ladysmith’s plan to borrow $13.5 million for a new city hall has been defeated in an alternative-approval process.

A total of 2,135 voters, or 28.8 per cent of eligible electors, submitted response forms to the municipality opposing a loan authorization bylaw.

Opponents handily killed the plan. Under provincial rules 10 per cent of electors, or in this case 741 electors, were needed to defeat it.

Ladysmith had hoped to build a more spacious city hall and consolidate operations, as well as add additional square footage for housing at the proposed Buller Street and First Avenue location.


https://www.timescol...ty-hall-9143722

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 June 2024 - 02:21 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The Crystal Pool is:

 

• the bulding and various components or areas of it
• the hole (the pool)
• the mechanical equipment for the buiding (air)
• the mechanical equipment for ther pool

Let's just fix each as needed.

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria council is making yet another attempt to replace the aging Crystal Pool, approving a referendum to hear from voters.

 

A referendum will be held in early 2025, asking Victoria residents whether they would like the city to borrow up to $169 million to replace the pool, and whether they would like the pool built in north or south Central Park.

 

An information page on the city’s website says information on where, when and how to vote in the referendum will be shared in fall 2024.

 

On top of the $169 million to be borrowed, the city plans to use $47 million from the reserve funds to pay for the pool.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...-light-1211776/