background and context - planning.ubc.ca · background and context ... advantages: • capital cost...

campus + community planning

New UBC Aquatic Centre Background and Context

Today’s public open house is to present the proposed new UBC Aquatic Centre program and to gather your feedback as a member of UBC’s campus community.

UBC’s existing aquatic facilities (including the Aquatic Centre, which began operation in the late 1970s and Empire Pool, built in 1954) are reaching the end of their useful lives. UBC is therefore proposing to build a new Aquatic Centre to provide student athletes with a state-of-the-art training facility, and the larger campus community (students, faculty, staff and residents) with an on-campus recreational facility.

The proposed new Aquatic Centre is being designed to strike a balance between a high performance competition facility and a neighbourhood leisure facility, and will feature:

• Competitionlengthpool• Recreationallappool• Leisurepool• Familychangerooms• Otheramenities

The new facility will replace both Empire Pool and the existing Aquatic Centre.

1


Meeting the Growing Needs of the Campus Community

Studies show that the existing aquatic facilities have reached a point where it is neither feasible nor prudent to repair and expand them in an effort to meet the changing needs of the UBC community, and that now is the time to consider building a new Aquatic Centre.

The existing facilities are aging, with unreliable mechanical systems, worn finishes, inefficient energy systems and outdated layout. While the structure of the indoor pool is currently in good condition, the Aquatic Centre roof and building envelope are due for replacement.

A 2009 report on the existing Aquatic Centre revealed that to keep the centre, numerous building systems would need to be replaced or upgraded at significant cost. And refurbishing the existing centre to meet the changing needs of UBC’s growing community (especially families) would require a substantial addition at an even greater cost.

Empire Pool, an older facility than the Aquatic Centre, is experiencing similar challenges, requiring significant energy resources to run, additions in order to be family friendly, as well as maintenance and upgrading. In addition, Empire Pool is not long enough to be used for competitive aquatic events.

Further,thecurrentAquaticCentreislocatedinakey area that is currently under review (as part of the Gage South & Environs* planning process) for major redevelopment to accommodate a new diesel bus terminal.OthernewfacilitiesintheareaincludeanewStudent Union Building and Alumni Centre. In view of these other initiatives, now is the time to consider

building a new Aquatic Centre so that it can be carefully integrated with these other facilities to meet the broader interests of the UBC community.

*See Board #7 for more information.

2


UBC New Aquatic Centre StudyA feasibility study showed that building a new Aquatic Centre clearly stands out as the better option for meeting user needs in terms of lower cost, higher functionality, reduced construction risk and less disruption during construction.

In 2011, UBC Infrastructure Development, with support from UBC’s Athletics Department and Campus & Community Planning, commissioned CEI Architecture Planning Interiors to conduct a feasibility study for a new Aquatic Centre, to evaluate whether the needs of key stakeholder groups would best be met with a new facility or renewal and expansion of existing facilities.

The study considered a variety of criteria including: functionality, existing building condition, campus fit, social, financial and environmental aspects, sustainability, heritage value and architectural impact. In addition to these criteria, CEI used 3 similar B.C. facilities as the basis for the proposed design layout. They were Hillcrest Pool (Vancouver), the Canada Games Pool (Kamloops) and the Commonwealth Games Pool (Saanich).

The table to the right is a summary of the Study findings.

To read the complete UBC New Aquatic Centre Study, visit: www.planning.ubc.ca

3

Build New Aquatic Centre (Preferred Option)

Renew and Expand Existing Aquatic Centre

Advantages:•capital cost approximately 20-25% less

expensive than renewal and expansion •desired functional program and current

pool design standards easy to achieve•allows for most efficient layout•degree of sustainable design objectives

not limited•ease of construction•no disruption to existing swimming

programs as existing aquatic centre will continue to function until new facility is completed

Disadvantages:•does not use existing structure

Advantages:•sustainability benefit of using an existing

building structure •retentionofMcInnesField

Disadvantages:•capital cost 20-25% more expensive than

building new •inefficient layout with unusable left-over

space that does not easily lend itself to base program requirements

•phasing requirements make construction more complicated than build-new option

•risks associated with renovating an old building

•new SUB building will obscure existing Aquatic Centre entrance, already difficult for users to locate


Stakeholder Input & Proposed Aquatic Centre Features

Through the feasibility study we asked key stakeholders for input on their needs and wants in a new Aquatic Centre.

The broad UBC community expressed interest in a more “family friendly” recreational facility that includes such things as swim areas for children, family change rooms, recreational features like slides and others. A list of program needs was circulated to the residential community through the University Neighbourhoods Association.

UBC’s Athletics community expressed a need for a high performance competition pool and a facility with the capacity to host university swim competitions.

Key stakeholders provided input on what the layout for the new Aquatic Centre would include and a significant number of the requests were accommodated. Board #4b provides a list of what was requested, by who and whether it has been incorporated into the proposed Aquatic Centre layout. An explanation accompanies features which were not able to be accommodated.

Below are images of Hillcrest Pool in Vancouver as an example of a pool with similar features.

4a

Hillcrest Park competition pool Hillcrest Park leisure pool


Stakeholder Input & Proposed Aquatic Centre Features

Through the feasibility study we asked key stakeholders for input on their needs and wants in a new Aquatic Centre.

4b

Needs/Wants for New Aquatic Centre Who Requested Included/Not Included

Pool with shallower area for aquafit and swimming lessons (adult and children) Shared (Community and UBC Athletics Department) Included (25m pool)

Tots area with limited depth Community Included (leisure pool)

Recreationalswimmingareaforolderchildrenwithmediumdepth Community Included (25m pool)

Recreationalfeaturessuchasaslide,watercannons,lazyriver,etc.(specificfeaturesTBD) Community Included (leisure pool)

Familychangeroom Community Included

On-deckseatingarea(foradultsattendingwitholderchildren) Community Included

Onemulti-useroomconnectedtothepoolforbirthdaypartyrentals,etc Community Included

Outdoorwadingpoolorwaterparkthatincludesaseatingarea(recreationaluse) Community Not included. An outdoor water park with these features is being planned for Wesbrook Place.

Lowchlorinesterilizationsystem(i.e.UVorozone) Community Not included in the study as this will be included in the detailed building design.

Designed with high visibility and accessibility Community Not included in the study as this will be included in the detailed building design.

Building accessible for people with disabilities Community Not included in the study as this will be included in the detailed building design.

Recreationallappool Shared (Community and UBC Athletics Department) Included (25m pool)

Hot tub Shared (Community and UBC Athletics Department) Included

Sauna Shared (Community and UBC Athletics Department) Included

Concession/coffee stand Shared (Community and UBC Athletics Department) Included

Fitnessarea Shared (Community UBC Athletics Department) Notincluded.ThenewWesbrookPlaceCommunityCentrewillincludeafitnessareaaswillthenewFieldHouse.

50m competition pool UBC Athletics Department Included

Springboard diving area UBC Athletics Department Included (25m pool)

Dive tank UBC Athletics Department Decision is still pending. Diving facilities may need to be scaled back due to facility footprint constraints.

Meeting and office space UBC Athletics Department Included

Spectator seating for athletic competition events UBC Athletics Department Included

Retailspace,includingpotentialrentalspaceforphysiotherapistsandmassagetherapists UBC Athletics Department Included

campus + community planningcampus + community planning

Proposed Aquatic Centre LayoutThe potential layout of the proposed new Aquatic Centre is intended to minimize the physical footprint of the facility without compromising programming/functionality.

Note: The final site location has not yet been chosen and will be determined as part of the Gage South & Environs Planning Process.

See Board #7 for more information.

5

Main floor Upper floor


Site Location6The Gage South & Environs Working Group is exploring various options and making recommendations for the new facility that will be brought forward for public consultation.

The UBC New Aquatic Centre Study considered three potential site locations for the new facility, including:EastofOsbourneCentreandWestof Thunderbird Arena; East of the Student RecreationCentre;andSouthoftheStudentRecreationCentreonMcInnesField.

FurtherresearchbythestudyteamrevealedthatthereisnotenoughareabetweenOsbourneCentre and Thunderbird Arena to accommodate the new building. The two remaining locations in the Gage South & Environs area are still under consideration. An additional site on the current diesel bus loop is also being considered by the Gage South & Environs Working Group.

The purpose of the aquatic centre feasibility study was to determine options for either building a new facility or refurbishing the existing aquatic centre. Though the study recommendsMcInnesFieldasthepreferredsite,the study considered technical issues only and is an input into the Gage South Process.

Here are some additional reasons for why thefeasibilitystudyidentifiedMcInnesFieldas the preferred location:

• Canaccommodatethelargesizeofthefacility• McInnesfootprintismostcostefficient• Bestfitsbuildingfootprinttooptimizeland

availability for the diesel bus loop• Haslessundergroundinfrastructure

(such as pipelines, electricity lines and piping• Causeslessdisruptionofservices• McInnesFieldcanbestaccommodate

the building footprint and is well situated to serve the broad campus community with its proximity to other student and community facilities.

IfMcInnesFieldischosenasthesiteforthefacility, the bookable open space currently providedbyMcInnesFieldwillberelocatednearor in the Gage South & Environs area.

Public consultation on the Gage South Environs options including the Centre’s proposed location, will take place in late October / earlyNovember2011.

New Aquatic Centre(Existing McInnes Field)

Existing SUB

Existing Aquatic Centre

War Memorial Gym

Student Recreation Centre

Existing Temporary Diesel Bus Terminal“Area Under Review”


Gage South & Environs Study Area and “Area Under Review”

7

The Gage South & Environs study area and ‘Area Under Review’ are currently being reviewed by the Gage South & Environs Working Group (a collaborative advisory group of key stakeholders, including graduate and undergraduate students, TransLink, UNA and UEL representatives) to ensure the planning of the Gage South area and the adjacent academic lands meets the needs of the university community.

Optionsforthefutureuseofthe‘AreaUnderReview’willbereviewedinapublicconsultative process this fall that includes students, faculty, staff, residents and theadjacentUniversityEndowmentLandscommunity.PriortoresolvinghowtheGageSouth‘AreaUnderReview’willbeused,UBCneedstoconsidertheusesof the academic lands which are adjacent to this Gage South area. As such, a comprehensiveplanningprocessisunderwayforthelarger‘StudyArea’(inheavybolded line on map), which includes first locating a site for the new Aquatic Centre.

The Gage South & Environs planning process is expected to conclude in early 2012 with a formal Public Hearing on the future land use for the ‘AreaUnderReview’.

Gage South & Environs Study Area and “Area Under Review”


Cost and Project TimelineUBC expects to invest approximately $37million in development and building of the new Aquatic Centre, which is targeted to open in 2016 after considerable study and public input over the coming months.

After public input is received, the next step will be to report to the UBC Board of Governors on what was heard during the Gage South & Environs consultation. The timing of presenting this to the Board of Governors has yet to be determined.

8

Timeline:

Firstpublicopenhouseto present proposed Aquatic Centre program

Draft Gage South & Environs options for the Study Area and“AreaUnderReview”–includinglocationofthenewAquaticCentre–arepresentedforpublicinput

Estimated project construction completion

September 2011 LateOctober/EarlyNovember2011 2016

background and context - planning.ubc.ca · background and context ... advantages: • capital cost...

Documents