City of Coquitlam - Draft Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy (2015-2040) Submitted to: The City of Coquitlam, BC Submitted by: Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Submitted on: April 10, 2015 Suite 400, 505 8840 210 th Street, Langley, BC V1M 2Y2 Tel: 604.868.3604 www.perconline.com
Table of Contents Executive Summary... i Recommended 2015 Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy... i Implementation Process... ii Implementation Principles and Assumptions... iv Introduction... 1 A Framework for Planning Aquatic Services... 2 Updated Information... 6 Demographics... 6 Changes to the Aquatics Infrastructure in Coquitlam... 7 Aquatics Infrastructure in Neighbouring Municipalities... 8 Aquatics Behaviour Patterns in Coquitlam... 9 Financing Aquatics Services... 10 Revised Aquatics Services and Infrastructure Strategy... 11 Implementation Process... 12 Implementation Principles and Assumptions... 15 Addendum A Highlights from the 2012 Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy... A-1 Short Term Recommendations... A-2 Mid Term Recommendations... A-2 Long Term Recommendations... A-2
Executive Summary In 2012, the City of Coquitlam developed and adopted an Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy ( ASIS ) however, since that time, a number of key considerations have emerged that require an update to the ASIS, including aquatic service investments in adjoining municipalities and the need to explore outdoor aquatic services in greater depth. The City retained Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC), the authors of the original strategy, to update the ASIS in 2015 and reflect those changes along with a revised implementation strategy considering the following factors: Changes to the City s projected demographics and patterns of aquatic use; Changes to what surrounding communities might be doing with respect to provision of aquatic services and infrastructure; Proposals for new indoor pool partnerships within the City; The direction set in the City s draft Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan; Additional input from City Council. The intent is to refer this draft updated strategy to discussions about the City s draft Parks, Recreation and Culture ( PRC ) Master Plan with the intent of dealing with aquatic services and infrastructure within the broader picture of all parks, recreation and cultural services. The consultants have completed the update and present this draft new ASIS for consideration and referral to the PRC Master Plan. The strategy is summarized below. Recommended 2015 Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy It is recommended that the City: Reaffirm the three levels of service model for aquatic service provision, with an indoor and outdoor pool serving City/Sub-Regional level, indoor pools serving the Community level, Enhanced spray decks serving the City/Sub-Regional and Community levels and spray decks serving Neighbourhoods with proportions of young children. Plan for the provision of aquatic capacity of about 6.6 swims per capita indoors and.6 swims per capita outdoors. Plan for the provision of one community level enhanced spray deck in the Southwest (Blue Mountain Park) and Northeast (Partington Village Centre) and two to serve city-wide needs (Town Centre Park and Spani Pool). Build spray decks in neighbourhood parks where they are needed (those neighbourhoods with a significant portion of young children) and phase out the one remaining wading pool at Blue Mountain after the enhanced spray deck is completed. i P a g e
Add/retrofit City/Sub-Regional level indoor (CCAC and PSLC) and outdoor pools (Spani Pool) to enhance destination facilities and ensure that they continue to draw users from across Coquitlam and beyond at close to full capacity (i.e. 90% capacity). Increase indoor aquatic capacity in the Southwest community within the next decade through a partnership with the Y and in the northeast by providing a new indoor community level pool at the end of the next decade (by 2030). Monitor community level outdoor pool infrastructure over the next decade and shift some uses of Eagle Ridge pool to City/Regional level outdoor pool at Spani, and to CCAC to provide a community level outdoor pool experience. Only after CCAC outdoor aquatic experience is built, consider decommissioning the Eagle Ridge outdoor pool when it is beyond its functional lifespan. In the meantime, invest only enough to keep it functional. Figure A summarizes the service levels embodied in the revised strategy. Type of Aquatic Amenity Figure A Summary of Revised Strategy Geographic Levels of Provision Service Level Aquatic Services City-Wide Community Neighbourhood Delivered Indoor Pools X 6.6 swims per capita Outdoor Pools X.6 swims per capita Wading Pools X X X Provided by enhanced Spray Deck Enhanced Spray X 1/community Decks also serves neighbourhood Spray Decks X X 1/neighbourhood with high proportion of young children All nine Categories of Service All but rehab/therapy None Respite from summer heat, water orientation for toddlers and fun Respite from summer heat, water orientation for toddlers and fun Implementation Process The recommended implementation process is guided by the population growth in each community, use per capita of the available indoor and outdoor pools and use in relation to capacity and needed lifecycle infrastructure improvements. Figure B employs the per capita service level established in the 2012 ASIS as well as population projections to estimate future use in relation to capacity at the rate of 6.6 swims per capita. Planning for increased capacity should occur when use of all indoor pools approaches 90% of ii P a g e
their capacity and new capacity should be avoided when use falls below 80% of capacity. The figure also highlights the impact of adding capacity with different facilities. Figure B Projected Use in Relation to for Indoor Pools Year Projected Use Projected at 6.6 Swims Base Current (2015) Add YMCA Pool Add New PoCo Pool Add Northeast Pool Equals Total Use in Relation to 2016 161,200 1,063,920 1,078,000 1,078,000 99% 2021 180,228 1,189,505 1,078,000 200,000 1 100,000 2 1,378,000 86% 2026 197,200 1,301,520 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 1,378,000 94% 2031 214,407 1,415,086 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 80% 2036 219,500 1,448,700 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 81% 2041 225,538 1,488,551 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 84% The capacity for outdoor pools was estimated using the same methodology as the indoor pools applying the service level of.6 swims per capita. The Eagle Ridge outdoor pool life expectancy has been extended by 10 to 15 years due to approved 2015 capital improvements. Figure C shows the potential use in relation to capacity as the population grows and the impact of adding an outdoor pool experience at CCAC and Spani as well as the removal of the Eagle Ridge outdoor pool. The removal of the Eagle Ridge Pool would create a deficit to the service level of.6 swims per capita for outdoor pools and consistent with the 2012 strategy adding outdoor pool capacity prior to removing the pool is recommended. Year Projected Figure C Projected Outdoor Pool Use in Relation to Use Projected at.6 Swims Base Current (2015) Add Outdoor Leisure Pool Spani Decommission Eagle Ridge Add Leisure Pool to CCAC Equals Total Use in Relation to 2016 161,200 96,720 110,658 110,658 87% 2021 180,228 108,137 110,658 110,658 98% 2026 197,200 118,320 110,658 50,000 160,658 74% 2031 214,407 128,644 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 80% 2036 219,500 131,700 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 82% 2041 225,538 135,323 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 84% 1 The YMCA aquatic facility is expected to add 400,000 swims total but 200,000 with 50% from Coquitlam residents and the remaining proportion from neighbouring municipalities. 2 The new Port Coquitlam aquatic facility is expected to add 400,000 swims total with 25% from Coquitlam residents. iii P a g e
Whenever, phasing out a community level outdoor pool or wading pool always provide a higher quality replacement capacity first, then decommission the older facilities once they are made redundant. In addition, clustering aquatic services at the city-wide and community level will enhance services while at the same time improving operational efficiencies. Considering these principles the recommended priority is to build the first enhanced spray deck and increase indoor pool capacity in the Southwest community. Figure D summarizes the recommended sequence, timing and impact. Figure D Aquatic Infrastructure Implementation City Capital Contributions Required Facility 2015-2019 2020-2025 2026-2040 Comments YMCA $15M 1 Construction of the YMCA needs to proceed as soon as possible Blue Mountain Park $2M Add Enhanced Spray Deck in the next five years Blue Mountain Park Close Blue Mountain Wading Pool once the enhanced spray deck is in place Spani Outdoor Pool $15M Add Leisure Pool and Enhanced Spray Deck Town Centre $2M Add Enhanced Spray Deck at Town Centre Park or CCAC CCAC Outdoor Pool $15M Outdoor pool experience to replace Eagle Ridge Eagle Ridge Pool Close once replacement at CCAC Outdoor Pool is open Fraser Mills Development Northeast Park Northeast Community Centre Neighbourhood level spray decks $750k (Rochester, Glen Park) $750k (1 NE Park, Cottonwood) Facilitate a self contained aquatic facility or additional contributions to a community level indoor pool for southwest community $2M Build an Enhanced Spray Deck prior to the construction of an indoor pool on the same site $30M Build an indoor aquatic facility similar in size to Poirier as part of a Northeast recreation centre. $750k (1 NE Park, 1 SW Park) Total $17.8 $17.8 $47.8 Add neighbourhood spray decks as suitable neighbourhood parks are developed or redeveloped. 1 Although the City is expected to invest $25 million into the YMCA Community Centre, approximately $15M would pay for half of the indoor pool portion of the facility. Implementation Principles and Assumptions Planning for indoor aquatic capacity increases should be monitored as population growth continues so that additional capacity could be added when indoor pools approach 90% of their capacity Assumed investments by adjacent municipalities need to be monitored to ensure appropriate service levels in aquatics are maintained iv P a g e
The cost to build spray decks is based on a variety of variables, not the least being topography, and design and the cost estimate is a placeholder. It is assumed that the total $4.5 million would provide for 6 neighbourhood level spray decks. All cost estimates are in 2015 dollars. v P a g e
Introduction The City of Coquitlam endorsed an Aquatics Services and Infrastructure Strategy ( ASIS ) in 2012 (summarized in Addendum A). This strategy laid out aquatic service levels that may be applied to Coquitlam s services and facilities and translated them into a set of recommendations for service provision over the short, medium and long term future. However, since then, a number of key considerations have emerged that require an update to the ASIS, including aquatic service investments in adjoining municipalities and the need to explore outdoor aquatic services in greater depth. The City retained Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC), the authors of the original strategy, to update ASIS in 2015 to reflect those changes and provide a revised set of service levels along with an implementation strategy. The intent of this project is to include the revised service levels in the City s final Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. Therefore the recommendations from this document would be referred to public consultation along with the Master Plan Implementation Strategy and discussed along with all other issues included in that process. In the course of this update the consultants followed a workplan which is summarized in Figure One. Figure One Summary of Methodology for the Updated Strategy Activity Initial Meeting with the City Staff Contact with Neighbouring Municipalities Review of Updated Aquatics Behavioural Data 2012-2014 Review of the Draft Recreation, Parks and Cultural Master Plan Review of the Aquatics Services Budgets 2012-2014 Review of Changes to Aquatics Infrastructure Since 2012 Facilitate Council Workshop Develop Draft Report Outcome Confirmation of project methodology and deliverables Understanding of any recent plans for new pools in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Burnaby Updating the types and amounts of use of existing aquatics amenities An understanding of the draft direction for aquatic services indicated in the draft Master Plan Updating operating budget data as it relates to the aquatics services provided, to render net public subsidy per swim An understanding of projects proposed by the YMCA and the developers of Fraser Mills, and planned investments at Blue Mountain Clarity on required aquatic service levels in Coquitlam Refer draft report the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan process The consultants are now pleased to present herein a revised draft strategy which, along with other draft service strategies, will be referred to a public consultation process associated with discussion about the Draft Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 1 P a g e
A Framework for Planning Aquatic Services The consultants suggest that the revised strategy will fit within a framework for aquatic service provision which includes nine categories of aquatic service, three types of aquatic facilities, three modes of operation of those facilities, and three geographic levels of provision of aquatic services. The nine categories of aquatic service are described as follows: Fun (i.e. recreational swimming); Skill development (i.e. primarily learn to swim lessons, but also other types of skill development programs); Fitness swimming (i.e. lane swimming or organized water based fitness classes); Special events (i.e. large events like swim meets, or smaller events like birthday parties); Sport training (e.g. Hyack Swim Club training sessions); Rehabilitation and therapy (in a water based exercise environment); Leadership training (e.g. Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, NLS courses); Respite from summer heat (using water to cool off in the summer heat); Water orientation for toddlers (becoming somewhat comfortable in a safe water-based environment); The three modes of aquatic facility operation are described as follows: Drop in use, where users decide, on a case-by-case basis, to access a pool; Program use, where users pre-commit to a series of uses through a registration process; Rental use; where a group rents space and controls the users and uses. While there are exceptions to the categories noted in Figure Two, the shaded boxes represent the primary mode(s) of operation for each of the nine categories of aquatic service. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 2 P a g e
Figure Two Accommodating Categories of Aquatic Service within Three Modes of Operation Three Modes of Operation Nine Categories of Aquatic Service Drop-In Program Rental Recreational Swimming (fun) Skill Development (swim lessons) Fitness Swimming Sport Training Special events Therapy and Rehabilitation Leadership Training Respite from Summer Heat Water Orientation for Toddlers The four types of aquatic infrastructure as follows: Indoor Pools significant structures with one or more tanks in an indoor environment that serve a broad range of aquatic services in a staffed and controlled environment in all three modes of operation; Outdoor Pools like an indoor pool but in an outdoor environment; Wading Pools usually a shallow water outdoor modest amenity with water depth 15 cm to 60 cm, requiring staff and control under the BC Pool Regulations; Spray Decks which have little or no standing water, in an outdoor environment, which does not require a Pool Operating Certificate under the BC Pool Regulations, and therefore need not be staffed, and can be remotely controlled. Spray Decks can be quite modest (i.e. a basic one) or quite elaborate and include an additional water feature (what is heretofore referred to as an Enhanced Spray Deck) Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 3 P a g e
The nine categories of aquatic service will be provided by the four types of aquatic facilities as summarized in Figure Three. Figure Three Categories of Aquatic Services per Pool Type Categories of Aquatic Service Indoor Aquatic Centres Outdoor Pools Wading Pools Spray Decks Recreational Swimming (fun) Skill Development Fitness Swimming Sport Training Special Events Therapy and Rehabilitation Leadership Training Respite from Summer Heat Water Orientation for Toddlers Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 4 P a g e
An example of an enhanced Spray Deck in Confederation Park in Burnaby, BC The three geographic levels of aquatic service provision as follows: City-wide/sub-regional level of provision, where a single, more specialized service centre in the City draws users from throughout the City and beyond; Community level of provision, much closer to each residence, where a service centre draws users primarily from its own community of 30,000 to 80,000 residents; Neighbourhood level of provision, which is closest to each residence, where each service centre draws users primarily from its immediate neighbourhood of 5000 to 8000 residents. An example of a Spray Deck in Cumberland Park in Nashville Tennessee Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 5 P a g e
While there are exceptions to the categories noted in Figure Four, the shaded boxes represent the primary geographic levels of service at which each of the nine categories are delivered. Figure Four Categories of Aquatic Services by Geographic Level of Provision Categories of Aquatic Service City-wide Sub-regional Community Neighbourhood Recreational Swimming (fun) Skill Development Fitness Swimming Sport Training Special Events Therapy and Rehabilitation Leadership Training Respite from Summer Heat Water Orientation for Toddlers The above described framework for planning aquatic services and infrastructure represent a slight refinement and update of the framework used in 2012. Updated Information Before proposing any adjustments to the current aquatic service provision levels, the consultants have summarized below the changes that have occurred over the past three years which indicate that some change is appropriate. Demographics The Coquitlam area planning population projections established the populations of the four communities Southwest, City Central, Northwest and Northeast for the census year 2006 and projected the growth of these populations to the year 2041. This established the planning focus for the four communities in the aquatic strategy. The 2012 aquatic strategy also used the census 2011 population of 126,450, to calculate the swims per capita and to set the aquatic service levels. Since the 2012 aquatic services strategy report, Coquitlam s population has grown from 126,450 in 2011 to 141,228 in 2014 according to the BC Stats estimates. When BC Stats released its population estimates for 2014 it noted Coquitlam grew by 2.3% from July 2013 to July 2014. This growth is consistent with the 2011 population projections with a growth of 39,096 projected to 2021. Using the area planning projections as a base, the consultants assumed the growth would be consistent and projected the population at 5 year increments in order to estimate the need for additional aquatic capacity to maintain the aquatic service levels of 6.6 swims per capita for indoor aquatic facilities and.6 swims per capita for outdoor pools. Figure Five is the Summary of Growth Projections 2014 to 2041. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 6 P a g e
Figure Five Summary of Growth Projections 2015-2041 Area Plan 2014 Estimate Additional 2014-2021 Total 2021 Added (2021-2031) Total 2031 Added (2031-2041) Total 2041 City Centre 30,988 11,274 42,264 14,212 56,476 3,799 60,275 Northeast 9,142 11,715 20,857 5,969 26,826 2,658 29,484 Northwest 20,102 1,109 21,212 444 21,656 409 22,065 Southwest 80,900 14,995 95,895 13,554 109,449 4,264 113,714 Total 141,132 39,093 180,228 34,179 214,407 11,131 225,538 Changes to the Aquatics Infrastructure in Coquitlam Coquitlam has applied the aquatic strategic plan through improved the aquatic infrastructure since 2012 implementing several projects. Specifically, two spray decks were built at Burns and Mackin Parks. These are both neighbourhood parks having a catchment area similar to an elementary school. Also, a significant upgrade to City Centre Aquatic Centre was completed in 2014, connecting to the city energy system, upgrading the spray features and physical appearance In 2015, Funds have been approved for the Blue Mountain Wading Pool and Spray Deck to bring them into compliance with the BC Swimming Pool Regulations. These temporary improvements are intended to extend the life of these facilities pending the revised aquatic strategic. This year improvements to both the outdoor pool facilities (Eagle Ridge and Spani) will be implemented to extend their functional lives for another 15 to 20 years. The existing aquatic infrastructure has been mapped to illustrate the primary catchment areas in Figure Six. Example of a Spray Deck at Diana Memorial Fountain in London, England Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 7 P a g e
Figure Six Map of Aquatic Infrastructure with Primary Catchment Areas Aquatics Infrastructure in Neighbouring Municipalities Aquatic facility users are mobile and therefore travel to neighbouring municipalities aquatic facilities. This is especially the case where new facilities are opened. The consultants contacted Burnaby, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and New Westminster to enquire about their plans for new and renovated aquatic facilities in the next several decades that may impact Coquitlam residents. The following summarizes the results. Burnaby- the partnership with the Y in Burquitlam will serve both Coquitlam and Burnaby with added aquatic capacity of about 200,000 swims for Coquitlam. Burnaby is also planning on replacing the CG Brown aquatic centre, which will not likely attract significant levels of use from Coquitlam residents. However, it has been discussing improvements to the Cameron Community Centre on the Burnaby Coquitlam border. If an aquatic component is included in the renovations to the Cameron Centre, it may add capacity due to the proximity and should be considered in future planning for the South West community. Port Coquitlam currently is in the planning phase for a recreation centre including an aquatic facility in its city centre area. A new centre would add capacity for PoCo residents and may free Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 8 P a g e
up 100,000 swims per year at Hyde Creek for use by Coquitlam residents in its emerging northwest community. Port Moody does not have plans for an indoor aquatic centre and will continue to operate their outdoor pools. New Westminster there are discussions in that city about retrofitting or replacing the Canada Games pool. However the scope and timing has not been determined. Surrey the Guildford Aquatic Centre will open March 28, 2015. While this is across the Port Mann Bridge it may have some initial impact on Coquitlam, especially in sport training and special events. Aquatics Behaviour Patterns in Coquitlam The consultants updated the number of visits for each aquatic centre and outdoor pools for 2014. The use has increased from 2011 to 2014 by approximately 100,000 swims for indoor pools reflecting the population growth of 15,000 people and maintaining a per capita use of about 6.6 swims. The use of the outdoor pools experienced a decline of 5,000 swims in 2014 over 2011 as opposed to a 9,000 swim increase if the new residents used the outdoor pools at the level of.6 swims per capita. The service level provides a basis of assessment for determining when additional capacity should occur and monitoring the use is important in this planning function. Figure Seven shows the 2014 swims per capita for the two indoor facilities. Figure Seven 2014 Indoor Swims Per Capita Pool Swims in 2014 Total Surplus Proportion of Utilized in 2014 Swims Per Capita BC Stats 2014 CCAC 554,905 689,325 134,420 80% 3.93 141,132 Poirier Sport 103% and Leisure 400,963 389,160-11,803 2.84 141,132 Total Indoor 955,868 1,078,485 122,617 89% 6.77 141,132 As Figure Seven shows, the swim rates have been maintained at quite a high level; slightly higher than the service level goal set in 2012, but within the margin of error of measurement of uses. Figure Eight shows the current use of the two outdoor pools. Example of an Enhanced Spray Deck at Jameson Square in Portland, Oregon Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 9 P a g e
Figure Eight 2014 Swims Per Capita at Outdoor Pools Pool 2014 Surplus 2014 % Use in Relation to Swims Per Capita BC Stats 2014 Eagle Ridge 34,376 55,329 20,953 62% 0.24 141,132 Spani 44,985 55,329 10,344 81% 0.32 141,132 Total Outdoor 79,361 110,658 31,297 72% 0.56 141,132 As Figure Eight shows, the service level for outdoor swimming has dropped to a level slightly below the service level goal set in 2012. However, use is within the margin of error of measurement of this level. Financing Aquatics Services An aquatic facility is most effectively operated at about 90% of its capacity for use. It is at this level that the facility is most economically operated while the customer satisfaction remains high. When the use in relation to capacity exceeds this level satisfaction and attendance tend to drop and the service level is difficult to maintain. Conversely, adding capacity too quickly will reduce the use in relation to capacity of the existing facilities and their operations will not be as effective. Aquatic users are mobile and will travel to the facility of their choice consequently projecting the use in relation to capacity using a service level of swims per capita is calculated on a municipal basis. One of the key measures of an aquatic facility performance is the net public subsidy per swim. This is developed by subtracting the operating costs from the revenues and dividing by the net subsidy by the number of swims. The PSLC and CCAC both have significant fitness centres, which generate revenue and expenses. Therefore, the fitness costs and revenues were removed for these centres to determine the aquatic statistics. The outdoor pools show direct costs for operation. While it may seem counterintuitive, the cost per swim is typically higher for an outdoor pool than an indoor pool. This is due to the impact of weather on use and the costs of opening and closing the outdoor pools. While the City may still prioritize outdoor aquatic services, in particular outdoor pools, due to the unique services these provide to the community, and understanding of the increased costs of these services is important. In addition, the closer to capacity that a pool operates, the lower the cost per swim as is evident when comparing PSLC to CCAC. Figure Nine shows the net cost per swim per facility and for the two types of facilities indoor and outdoor pools. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 10 P a g e
Figure Nine Net Cost per Swim Pool Revenue Operating Expense Recovery Rate Net Subsidy 2014 Attendance Net Subsidy per Swim Spani $87,000 $264,000 33% $177,000 44,985 $3.93 Eagle Ridge $80,000 $240,000 33% $160,000 34,376 $4.65 Total Outdoor $167,000 $504,000 33% $337,000 79,361 $4.25 CCAC $1,700,000 $3,100,000 55% $1,400,000 554,905 $2.52 PSLC Chimo $1,388,300 $1,820,000 76% $431,700 400,963 $1.08 Total Indoor $3,088,300 $4,920,000 63% $1,831,700 955,868 $1.92 As Figure Nine shows, in Coquitlam, like in most communities, the net public subsidy per swim in the outdoors is more than twice the subsidy realized in the indoor pools. Obviously, the efficiency of indoor pools to deliver swims is much better than outdoor pools. That said, it is also acknowledged that outdoor aquatics offers a unique service and as such communities may accept the higher subsidy costs to retain and enhance their outdoor pools, should these be highly valued and desirable by the community. Revised Aquatics Services and Infrastructure Strategy In 2012, the consultants prepared, and council endorsed, a long-term strategy for the provision of aquatic services and infrastructure. The new information suggests the following changes to that strategy: Adopt two levels of spray decks; basic and enhanced instead of just a basic spray deck; Add enhanced spray deck to both the City/Sub-regional and the community level of service; Adjust the level of investment to coordinate better with the planned investments in aquatic services in neighbouring municipalities. Incorporating the updated information, the following is a summary of the revised strategies. Reaffirm the three levels of service model for aquatic service provision, with an indoor and outdoor pool serving City/Sub-Regional level, indoor pools serving the Community level, Enhanced spray decks serving the City/Sub-Regional and Community levels and spray decks serving Neighbourhoods with proportions of young children. Plan for the provision of aquatic capacity of about 6.6 swims per capita indoors and.6 swims per capita outdoors. Plan for the provision of one community level enhanced spray deck in the Southwest (Blue Mountain Park) and Northeast (Partington Village Centre) and two to serve city-wide needs (Town Centre Park and Spani Pool). Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 11 P a g e
Build spray decks in neighbourhood parks where they are needed (those neighbourhoods with a significant portion of young children) and phase out the one remaining wading pool at Blue Mountain after the enhanced spray deck is completed. Add/retrofit City/Sub-Regional level indoor (CCAC and PSLC) and outdoor pools (Spani Pool) to enhance destination facilities and ensure that they continue to draw users from across Coquitlam and beyond at close to full capacity (i.e. 90% capacity). Increase indoor aquatic capacity in the Southwest community within the next decade through a partnership with the Y and in the northeast by providing a new indoor community level pool at the end of the next decade (by 2030). Monitor community level outdoor pool infrastructure over the next decade and shift some uses of Eagle Ridge pool to City/Regional level outdoor pool at Spani, and to CCAC to provide a community level outdoor pool experience. Only after CCAC outdoor aquatic experience is built, consider decommissioning the Eagle Ridge outdoor pool when it is beyond its functional lifespan. In the meantime, invest only enough to keep it functional. Figure Ten summarizes the service levels embodied in the revised strategy. Type of Aquatic Amenity Figure Ten Summary of Revised Strategy Geographic Levels of Provision Service Level Aquatic Services City-Wide Community Neighbourhood Delivered Indoor Pools X 6.6 swims per capita Outdoor Pools X.6 swims per capita Wading Pools X X X Provided by enhanced Spray Deck Enhanced Spray X 1/community Decks also serves neighbourhood Spray Decks X X 1/neighbourhood with high proportion of young children All nine Categories of Service All but rehab/therapy None Respite from summer heat, water orientation for toddlers and fun Respite from summer heat, water orientation for toddlers and fun Implementation Process The recommended implementation process is guided by the population growth in each community, use per capita use of the available indoor and outdoor pools and use in relation to capacity and needed lifecycle infrastructure improvements. Figure Eleven employs the per capita service level and Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 12 P a g e
population projections to estimate future use in relation to capacity. Planning for increased capacity should occur when use of all indoor pools approaches 90% of their capacity and new capacity should be avoided when use falls below 80% of capacity. Figure Eleven highlights the correlation between the population and the projected number of visits using the service level of 6.6 swims per capita for indoor aquatic facilities. The figure also highlights the impact of adding capacity with different facilities. Figure Eleven Projected Use in Relation to for Indoor Pools Year Projected Use Projected at 6.6 Swims Base Current (2015) Add YMCA Pool Add New PoCo Pool Add Northeast Pool Equals Total Use in Relation to 2016 161,200 1,063,920 1,078,000 1,078,000 99% 2021 180,228 1,189,505 1,078,000 200,000 3 100,000 4 1,378,000 86% 2026 197,200 1,301,520 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 1,378,000 94% 2031 214,407 1,415,086 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 80% 2036 219,500 1,448,700 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 81% 2041 225,538 1,488,551 1,078,000 200,000 100,000 400,000 1,778,000 84% As Figure Eleven shows, additional indoor pool capacity is needed as soon as possible so the YMCA partnership needs to proceed as soon as possible. Also, if the new PoCo town centre pool is not in place before 2020, it will not free up the 100,000 swims at Hyde Creek Park pool for use by northeast Coquitlam residents, and the northeast pool will need to be advanced by about five years. This also assumes that Port Coquitlam continues to invest and maintain the Hyde Creek Park pool. The capacity for outdoor pools was estimated using the same methodology as the indoor pools applying the level of.6 swims per capita. The Eagle Ridge outdoor pool life expectancy has been extended by 10 to 15 years due to approved 2015 capital improvements. Figure Twelve shows the potential use in relation to capacity as the population grows and the impact of adding an outdoor pool experience at CCAC and Spani as well as the removal of the Eagle Ridge outdoor pool. The removal of the Eagle Ridge Pool would create a deficit to the service level of.6 swims per capita for outdoor pools and consistent with the 2012 strategy adding outdoor pool capacity prior to removing the pool is recommended. 3 The YMCA aquatic facility is expected to add 400,000 swims total but 200,000 with 50% from Coquitlam residents and the remaining proportion from neighbouring municipalities. 4 The new Port Coquitlam aquatic facility is expected to add 400,000 swims total with 25% from Coquitlam residents. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 13 P a g e
Year Projected Figure Twelve Projected Outdoor Pool Use in Relation to Use Projected at.6 Swims Base Current (2015) Add Outdoor Leisure Pool Spani Decommission Eagle Ridge Add Leisure Pool to CCAC Equals Total Use in Relation to 2016 161,200 96,720 110,658 110,658 87% 2021 180,228 108,137 110,658 110,658 98% 2026 197,200 118,320 110,658 50,000 160,658 74% 2031 214,407 128,644 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 80% 2036 219,500 131,700 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 82% 2041 225,538 135,323 110,658 50,000-50,000 50,000 160,658 84% As Figure Twelve shows, planning for new capacity at Spani needs to occur before 2021 and new capacity needs to be available no later than 2026. Once it is in place, it will be at least fifteen years before more capacity needs to be added to the outdoor pool system. Whenever, phasing out a community level outdoor pool or wading pool always provide a higher quality replacement capacity first, then decommission the older facilities once they are made redundant. In addition, clustering aquatic services at the city-wide and community level will enhance services while at the same time improving operational efficiencies. Considering these principles the recommended priority is to build the first enhanced spray deck and increase indoor pool capacity in the Southwest community. Figure Thirteen summarizes the recommended sequence, timing and impact. Example of an Enhanced Spray Deck in Grand Park Los Angeles Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 14 P a g e
Figure Thirteen Aquatic Infrastructure Implementation City Capital Contributions Required Facility 2015-2020 2021-2025 2026-2031 Comments YMCA $15M 1 Construction of the YMCA needs to proceed as soon as possible Blue Mountain Park $2M Add Enhanced Spray Deck in the next five years Blue Mountain Park Close Blue Mountain Wading Pool once the enhanced spray deck is in place Spani Outdoor Pool $15M Add Leisure Pool and Enhanced Spray Deck Town Centre $2M Add Enhanced Spray Deck at Town Centre Park or CCAC CCAC Outdoor Pool $15M Outdoor pool experience to replace Eagle Ridge Eagle Ridge Pool Close once replacement at CCAC Outdoor Pool is open Fraser Mills Development Northeast Park Northeast Community Centre Neighbourhood level spray decks $750k (Rochester, Glen Park) $750k (1 NE Park, Cottonwood) Facilitate a self contained aquatic facility or additional contributions to a community level indoor pool for southwest community $2M Build an Enhanced Spray Deck prior to the construction of an indoor pool on the same site $30M Build an indoor aquatic facility similar in size to Poirier as part of a Northeast recreation centre. $750k (1 NE Park, 1 SW Park) Total $17.8 $17.8 $47.8 Add neighbourhood spray decks as suitable neighbourhood parks are developed or redeveloped. 1 Although the City is expected to invest $25 million into the YMCA Community Centre, approximately $15M would pay for half of the indoor pool portion of the facility. Implementation Principles and Assumptions Planning for indoor aquatic capacity increases should be monitored as population growth continues so that additional capacity could be added when indoor pools approach 90% of their capacity Assumed investments by adjacent municipalities need to be monitored to ensure appropriate service levels in aquatics are maintained The cost to build spray decks is based on a variety of variables, not the least being topography, and design and the cost estimate is a placeholder. It is assumed that the total $4.5 million would provide for 6 neighbourhood level spray decks. All cost estimates are in 2015 dollars. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution 15 P a g e
Addendum A Highlights from the 2012 Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy In 2012, the consultants prepared, and council endorsed, a long term strategy for provision of aquatic services and infrastructure. It is summarized as seven bullets below. Adopt the three geographic levels of service model for aquatic service provision, with an indoor and outdoor pool serving City/Regional level, indoor pools serving community level, and spray decks serving neighbourhoods. Plan for provision of aquatic capacity of about 6.6 swims per capita indoors and.6 swims per capita outdoors. Add/retrofit City/Regional level indoor and outdoor pools to enhance destination facilities and ensure that they continue to draw users from across Coquitlam and beyond at close to full capacity. Increase indoor aquatic capacity in the northeast by providing a new indoor community level pool in the early years of the next decade. Monitor community level outdoor pool infrastructure and shift some uses of Eagle Ridge pool to City/Regional level outdoor pool at Spani, and all indoor pools when Eagle Ridge is beyond its functional lifespan. In the meantime, invest only enough to keep it functional. Whenever phasing out community level outdoor pools or wading pools, always provide higher quality replacement capacity first, and then decommission older, less efficient, lower quality facilities that have been made redundant. Build spray decks in neighbourhood parks and phase out the one remaining wading pool. The above noted strategy is summarized in Figure A-1. Figure A - 1 Summary of 2012 Aquatics Services Strategy Types of Aquatic Amenity City-wide/subregional Community Neighbourhood Indoor Pool X Outdoor Pool X Wading Pool X Spray Deck X Within this aquatic strategy, there were some specific recommendations which Council endorsed. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution A - 1 P a g e
Short Term Recommendations Upgrade the spray decks at Burns and Town Centre Parks. Upgrade/expand the existing spray deck and build a new spray deck at the site of the Blue Mountain Wading Pool and then close the wading pool. Permanently close Rochester Outdoor pool and re-landscape the park, providing alternative amenities to serve the neighbourhood. Implement the asset maintenance and renewal program at Eagle Ridge to ensure functionality for the next 5 years. Initiate inter municipal aquatic discussions for the Burquitlam area with New Westminster, Burnaby and Port Moody to determine long term indoor aquatic strategies for the region. Mid Term Recommendations Enhance CCAC as a City/Regional Pool, but don t make it a National/International Competition Centre. Upgrade its ability to host regional and provincial meets, and add some outdoor experience, but don t add another main tank. Enhance Spani Pool as a City/Regional Pool add an outdoor leisure pool and/or spray deck, and some support for higher quality swim meets. Long Term Recommendations Add northeast indoor community pool similar in scale to the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex in the early years of the next decade. In initial years, before the northeast community builds out, it will add to the city wide aquatic capacity, serve the smaller population in the northeast as well as much of the north half of Port Coquitlam. Develop a spray deck on site of Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool, and consider closing the main tank as uses shift to CCAC, Spani, a new northeast indoor pool and a spray deck on this same site. Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC) Draft Not for Distribution A - 2 P a g e