$50.4 million Aldergrove Community Centre

Earlier this year, I posted about the preferred concept for the Aldergrove Community Centre which had a preliminary cost of $35.5 million. The Centre included the following features:

Indoor Aquatic
-Leisure Pool
-Lap Pool, ramp entry, 6 lane 25m
-Sauna & Steam Rooms
-Hot Pool

Community and Recreation Space
-Food Services
-Fitness Room
-Two Multipurpose Rooms
-Library
-Walking Track

Single Sheet Arena
-NHL ice sheet
-Skate Shop

In April, Township of Langley Council directly Township Staff to commission an Aquatic Needs Assessment to solidify the aquatic requirements for the community centre. The assessment noted that the pool should be reduced to one four lane, 25m lap tank and a leisure pool.

In June, Council decided to maintain a six lane, 25m lap pool and a leisure pool as originally envisioned. Council than directed Staff to commission a proposed budget and financial plan for the facility.

Council received this report on Monday. The cost of the facility is now pegged at $50.4 million which is significantly more than the preliminary cost.

One of the interesting thing that I found in the Staff report on the facility was that the Township of Langley had a goal to reduce its corporate GHG emissions (from its facilities and operations) to 10% below 2000 level in 2010. The Township hasn’t succeeded in that goal and has instead seen an 8.5% increase.

In ordered to minimize GHG emissions, Staff has recommended that the proposed Aldergrove Community Centre include internal energy sharing between the ice and pool mechanical systems, geo-exchange heating and cooling, and solar thermal heating. These measures would reduce the building's GHG footprint by 93% compared to if it was built with traditional energy systems. Staff is also recommending entering a long-term agreement with FortisBC Alternative Energy Services who would provide, operate, and maintain the 100% renewable energy system for the facility.

The next step for this potential facility will be to see how and if the Township will fund it. I think the Township will be looking for funding from the Province or the Feds to help offset some of the cost of this facility.