Alberni Valley Aquatics Outreach

The ACRD is conducting the Alberni Valley Aquatics Outreach. We want to invite you to Dive into the Future and provide input on future visioning, financing, and governance options as they explore the feasibility of a replacement for our aging Echo Aquatic Centre (Echo Pool).

The Aquatic Feasibility Study is to provide future development, financing, and governance guidance and planning for the replacement of the current Echo Pool located at 4255 Wallace St., Port Alberni, BC V9Y 3Y6.

The current facility is owned and operated solely by the City of Port Alberni; however, Echo Pool operations directly benefit Area B (Beaufort), Area D (Sproat Lake), Area E (Beaver Creek), Area F (Cherry Creek), the City of Port Alberni, Tseshaht First Nation, and Hupačasath First Nation.

The Phase One and Phase Two of the Aquatic Feasibility Study was overseen by an advisory committee comprised of ACRD elected officials, City of Port Alberni elected officials, First Nations representatives, members of the public from each Alberni Valley Electoral area and supported by ACRD and CPA staff.

The process involves three phases: We are currently in Phase 3, which is mostly behind the scenes work for now. We will keep you updated as that changes.

PHASE THREE: OPTIONAL – Advancing a preferred Vision - March 2024 to January 2025 - WE ARE HERE!

Any steps identified for Phase Three will depend on the decisions of elected bodies that come from the final report delivered at the end of Phase Two. These decisions could include creating a regional aquatics service or the development of a function for financing a new facility. Any of the actions taken in this Phase will legally require actions that include public outreach, the development of a clear service bylaw, as well as a public assent process (e.g. a public referendum).

You can still email us at aquatics@acrd.bc.ca, or:

ASK US A QUESTION - If you have any questions please ask us and we will answer shortly. Questions and answers will be posted publicly unless you specify that you do not wish for your question to be posted publicly.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS - Imagine a room filled with people adding great ideas on a wall and sticking little hearts to other people's ideas when they like it. The Idea tool below does the same on an online space. Use this brainstorming space to share with your community your best ideas!

If you would like more information about the other phases and what they involved, check out the resources in the right menu on this page.

You can also find more information by watching the Alberni Valley Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee Meeting: Calendar of Events (acrd.bc.ca) or the Regular Board of Directors Meeting: www.acrd.bc.ca/events/24-4-2024/