With a substantial completion date of late March, the Aquatics Centre is likely to be, along with the theatre, the first of the CUPlex components finished.
The Battlefords and District Co-op Aquatics Centre is going to be "one of the most highly programmed pools in the province," according to a city council memo, as it will take on all the programs now at the Kinsmen Aquatics Centre and add more. These programs include birthday parties (the Kinsmen Aquatics Centre currently hosts over 200 per year), swimming lessons, synchronized swimming and other activities. As the new Aquatics Centre is much larger, at 43,000 square feet compared to the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre's 9,000, it will likely accommodate a large number of new programs.
The new aquatics centre also has a large variety of new features, which all, with the exception of the competition pool, allow for barrier-free entry. The centre will feature a leisure pool with a wave generator, a "lazy river" for inner tubes, two water slides, a steam room and a barrier-free entry, 20-person hot tub. The wave machine will not always be on, making the wave pool usable for other programming. Unlike the Kinsmen Aquatics Centre, the new aquatics centre will have a staff room, staff change rooms and a staff lounge. It will also feature a dedicated room for birthday parties, which will be equipped with a kitchenette and look out on the swimming pool.
The six-lane, 14 foot-deep competition pool will also have a one metre diving board, and the area near the pool will have a large deck space for swimming lessons or to accommodate bleachers for swim meets. Because the pool has only six lanes, it will not qualify for provincial championships, but it is anticipated it can be used for some lower-level provincial events.
Outside of the main swimming area, the new facility will also have a rental space available for a contractor to open a concession.
All the water for the swimming pool is piped, heated and filtered by a large filtration system in the basement, using a total of over three kilometres of pipes. The water will be cleaned by chlorine.
Because of the cost of construction and the larger size of the new facility, admission costs will increase. Based on a study that compared the Aquatic Centre to similar aquatics centres in Lloydminster and Yorkton, the admission prices will increase by a few dollars. Adult admission, which for the Kinsmen Aquatics Centre is currently $5.25, will increase to $7, family admission will increase from $12.25 to $20. Student/senior and child admissions will see small increases, going from $4.25 to $5 and $3.25 to $4, respectively. The new facility will also continue to sell 10-use punch cards, which will similarly increase in price.
The larger size of the pool also means that it will have to employ a larger number of staff. The Kinsmen facility uses four full-time staff and between 15 and 20 part-time staff of varying ages and availability. The new facility will require 10 full-time positions and 20 to 30 part-time staff.
The City of North Battleford will be in charge of operating the swimming pool.
Based on the projections submitted by Parks and Recreation Director Keith Anderson to city council in September, the new facility will see a net operating cost of $1,192,195 annually. Annual revenues are expected to be $567,000, which translates into an expected annual deficit of $625,154.
The operating costs are high partly because, at 43,000 square feet, the new aquatic centre is much larger than Kinsmen Aquatic Centre. There will be increases in custodial and lifeguarding costs. As well, there are three tanks at the new aquatic centre compared to one at the current facility, adding to the expenses.
However, it is expected annual revenues will be up considerably compared to those for the existing Kinsmen Aquatic Centre, which currently generates $362,506 annually.
Because of the larger size and added features to the Co-op Aquatic Centre, there will be greater capacity at the new facility to take on the additional programming opportunities they expect to offer, and that will generate more revenue. A significant amount of revenue is also expected to be generated by the concession area that will be rented out for a cafeteria. City council has directed administration to maximize all programming opportunities available that the aquatic centre can be fully booked and used.
The City expects a greater recovery on operations at 47.5 per cent, compared to similar facilities in Yorkton and Lloydminster.
Still up in the air once the new aquatic centre opens is the future use of the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre building.
Discussion on future uses of the facility should begin after the City receives a report on the subject sometime early in 2012.
At the moment the aquatics centre is missing most of the $1.1 million worth of tiling and other features like water slides, which will be added in later. But the building itself looks largely complete - all of the tanks have their own distinct shapes, and the piping is nearly complete.
