Alberni Valley Aquatics Outreach

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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 Aquatic Feasibility Study will be 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.

First SURVEY (Complete) - The purpose of this survey was to help us better understand community needs and for you to share your ideas. We had more than 1,200 responses, so thank you for that valuable information.


Second SURVEY (Closed): This phase will walk you through options for building design and elements to add to your design. It will share high level costs and will provide you with household cost estimates based on the facility you designed.

DEADLINE EXTENDED until Friday, December 8!

This is an opportunity for you to make important contributions within your community so please Dive into the Future and help shape aquatics in the Alberni Valley!

Survey #2 (Closed): Dive Into the Future (ethelo.net)


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!





PROJECT TIMELINE



PHASE ONE: Needs and Benefits Assessment - April to August 2023 - COMPLETE

This opening phase is all about opening the discussion … don’t worry, there are no decisions being made in Phase One. We talked about the community’s current aquatic uses and perceived future needs. Our team summarized what we heard, did some technical research and reported back to you through several platforms. We also engaged residents across all communities of the Alberni Valley through public surveys, workshops, and open houses.

Want to have your say? More than 1,200 people filled out our first survey.

Want to share ideas in person? Our open houses took place in May and June 2023.

Have a team, club, or interest group that would like to talk Alberni Valley Aquatics? Sign-up for your own small group discussion by emailing: aquatics@acrd.bc.ca

Dive in and stay connected by signing up for our email updates. Not only will you receive all the latest information, you will automatically be entered to win prizes with every round of public engagement.

PHASE TWO: Outreach on Options - September 2023 to February 2024 - WE ARE HERE

Drawing on what we heard from the first round of community engagement and our technical research, a short list of conceptual design options for a new aquatic centre will be created. These options will be complemented by discussion forums around financial, governance, and service delivery options.

We want to discuss what aquatic centre options could meet our future needs, and more importantly, we want to ensure we all understand the associated financial costs and service delivery models.

Feedback received from Phase Two of public discussion will be used to create a comprehensive Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study Report that is true to the community’s desires. This report will provide the community's preferred option for the future of aquatics and recommended next steps for consideration by various elected bodies within the Alberni Valley, including but not limited to the ACRD Board, the City of Port Alberni Council, Tseshaht Council, and Hupačasath Council.

Decisions on what, if anything, to advance in Phase Three of this process may be made by elected bodies at the end of Phase Two.

Have a team, club, or interest group that would like to talk Alberni Valley Aquatics? Sign-up for your own small group discussion by emailing: aquatics@acrd.bc.ca


Public engagement actions in Phase Two include:

  • Community Survey CLOSED!
  • Open House Discussions - Echo Centre Dogwood Room November 29 - Complete
  • Small group discussions - email us now and we'll come talk to you and your group - aquatics@acrd.bc.ca

PHASE THREE: OPTIONAL – Advancing a preferred Vision - March 2024 to January 2025

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).

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 Aquatic Feasibility Study will be 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.

First SURVEY (Complete) - The purpose of this survey was to help us better understand community needs and for you to share your ideas. We had more than 1,200 responses, so thank you for that valuable information.


Second SURVEY (Closed): This phase will walk you through options for building design and elements to add to your design. It will share high level costs and will provide you with household cost estimates based on the facility you designed.

DEADLINE EXTENDED until Friday, December 8!

This is an opportunity for you to make important contributions within your community so please Dive into the Future and help shape aquatics in the Alberni Valley!

Survey #2 (Closed): Dive Into the Future (ethelo.net)


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!





PROJECT TIMELINE



PHASE ONE: Needs and Benefits Assessment - April to August 2023 - COMPLETE

This opening phase is all about opening the discussion … don’t worry, there are no decisions being made in Phase One. We talked about the community’s current aquatic uses and perceived future needs. Our team summarized what we heard, did some technical research and reported back to you through several platforms. We also engaged residents across all communities of the Alberni Valley through public surveys, workshops, and open houses.

Want to have your say? More than 1,200 people filled out our first survey.

Want to share ideas in person? Our open houses took place in May and June 2023.

Have a team, club, or interest group that would like to talk Alberni Valley Aquatics? Sign-up for your own small group discussion by emailing: aquatics@acrd.bc.ca

Dive in and stay connected by signing up for our email updates. Not only will you receive all the latest information, you will automatically be entered to win prizes with every round of public engagement.

PHASE TWO: Outreach on Options - September 2023 to February 2024 - WE ARE HERE

Drawing on what we heard from the first round of community engagement and our technical research, a short list of conceptual design options for a new aquatic centre will be created. These options will be complemented by discussion forums around financial, governance, and service delivery options.

We want to discuss what aquatic centre options could meet our future needs, and more importantly, we want to ensure we all understand the associated financial costs and service delivery models.

Feedback received from Phase Two of public discussion will be used to create a comprehensive Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study Report that is true to the community’s desires. This report will provide the community's preferred option for the future of aquatics and recommended next steps for consideration by various elected bodies within the Alberni Valley, including but not limited to the ACRD Board, the City of Port Alberni Council, Tseshaht Council, and Hupačasath Council.

Decisions on what, if anything, to advance in Phase Three of this process may be made by elected bodies at the end of Phase Two.

Have a team, club, or interest group that would like to talk Alberni Valley Aquatics? Sign-up for your own small group discussion by emailing: aquatics@acrd.bc.ca


Public engagement actions in Phase Two include:

  • Community Survey CLOSED!
  • Open House Discussions - Echo Centre Dogwood Room November 29 - Complete
  • Small group discussions - email us now and we'll come talk to you and your group - aquatics@acrd.bc.ca

PHASE THREE: OPTIONAL – Advancing a preferred Vision - March 2024 to January 2025

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).

Public Questions

If you have any questions please feel free to ask them here and we will reply shortly. Questions and answers will be posted publicly unless you specify that you do not wish your question to be posted publicly. Through this planning process the ACRD has received many common questions please see the FAQs section on the right hand side for common questions.  

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  • Share I am unable to find the survey tabulation results posted anywhere. Can you direct me to them? on Facebook Share I am unable to find the survey tabulation results posted anywhere. Can you direct me to them? on Twitter Share I am unable to find the survey tabulation results posted anywhere. Can you direct me to them? on Linkedin Email I am unable to find the survey tabulation results posted anywhere. Can you direct me to them? link

    I am unable to find the survey tabulation results posted anywhere. Can you direct me to them?

    JKW asked 7 months ago

    Thanks for the interest. They are not available here, but we are working on a summary that will be posted on this page. 

  • Share Is there a breakdown of residents who participated in the survey by electoral area? I haven't talked to anyone in my neighbourhood who heard about the survey at the time, much less participated. on Facebook Share Is there a breakdown of residents who participated in the survey by electoral area? I haven't talked to anyone in my neighbourhood who heard about the survey at the time, much less participated. on Twitter Share Is there a breakdown of residents who participated in the survey by electoral area? I haven't talked to anyone in my neighbourhood who heard about the survey at the time, much less participated. on Linkedin Email Is there a breakdown of residents who participated in the survey by electoral area? I haven't talked to anyone in my neighbourhood who heard about the survey at the time, much less participated. link

    Is there a breakdown of residents who participated in the survey by electoral area? I haven't talked to anyone in my neighbourhood who heard about the survey at the time, much less participated.

    JKW asked 7 months ago

    Thanks for the question. We do have a breakdown on those numbers. I'll gather them up and post them in the documents area. it will take a bit, so be patient please.


  • Share Did you know….that in every leisure guide there is a price for city residents and a higher price for non city residents City residents have NOT been charged the higher rate for over 5 years now. Ever since resident / non-resident card’s stopped being used. on Facebook Share Did you know….that in every leisure guide there is a price for city residents and a higher price for non city residents City residents have NOT been charged the higher rate for over 5 years now. Ever since resident / non-resident card’s stopped being used. on Twitter Share Did you know….that in every leisure guide there is a price for city residents and a higher price for non city residents City residents have NOT been charged the higher rate for over 5 years now. Ever since resident / non-resident card’s stopped being used. on Linkedin Email Did you know….that in every leisure guide there is a price for city residents and a higher price for non city residents City residents have NOT been charged the higher rate for over 5 years now. Ever since resident / non-resident card’s stopped being used. link

    Did you know….that in every leisure guide there is a price for city residents and a higher price for non city residents City residents have NOT been charged the higher rate for over 5 years now. Ever since resident / non-resident card’s stopped being used.

    Spricey asked 11 months ago

    The "non-resident" fee is for people who do not live within the Alberni Valley. Just like when we travel to other communities and pay a different rate, that happens at Echo Pool. The resident rate if for people who live both in the City of Port Alberni and in the surrounding electoral areas of the ACRD. 

  • Share Will there be a new exercise room on Facebook Share Will there be a new exercise room on Twitter Share Will there be a new exercise room on Linkedin Email Will there be a new exercise room link

    Will there be a new exercise room

    Bob asked 11 months ago

    This phase is about gathering information on what residents and pool users want to see in a new facility. We did hear back from a lot of people that including an exercise room or gym is important to them, so it is probably that the proposed design will include an exercise facility.


  • Share Why was the last question worded like it was? on Facebook Share Why was the last question worded like it was? on Twitter Share Why was the last question worded like it was? on Linkedin Email Why was the last question worded like it was? link

    Why was the last question worded like it was?

    Sandi asked 11 months ago

    Thanks for the question. The only point of the final question was to see if we could gather some data for the local nations on how much their members use the pool. Our community is home to members of many of the different Nuu-chah-nulth nations, and there was some interest from these nations in finding out if their citizens were using the pool. 


  • Share It appears that that this project has been put off for far too long. My questions to you are: A. How long will the existing pool be viable B. What steps are being taken to ensure we have a pool in Port Alberni prior to a new pool. C what is the anticipated timeline for a new pool on Facebook Share It appears that that this project has been put off for far too long. My questions to you are: A. How long will the existing pool be viable B. What steps are being taken to ensure we have a pool in Port Alberni prior to a new pool. C what is the anticipated timeline for a new pool on Twitter Share It appears that that this project has been put off for far too long. My questions to you are: A. How long will the existing pool be viable B. What steps are being taken to ensure we have a pool in Port Alberni prior to a new pool. C what is the anticipated timeline for a new pool on Linkedin Email It appears that that this project has been put off for far too long. My questions to you are: A. How long will the existing pool be viable B. What steps are being taken to ensure we have a pool in Port Alberni prior to a new pool. C what is the anticipated timeline for a new pool link

    It appears that that this project has been put off for far too long. My questions to you are: A. How long will the existing pool be viable B. What steps are being taken to ensure we have a pool in Port Alberni prior to a new pool. C what is the anticipated timeline for a new pool

    Titanich asked about 1 year ago

    Echo pool has served us very well since it’s opening in 1967, but it has not had a renovation/upgrade in 57 years. As a result, any upgrades at this point will also require that we bring the entire facility up to todays standards and building code requirements. The cost of renovating will likely cost as much as a new build and will likely not offer the design characteristics that we would expect to have in a facility of this nature in the 21st century. The pool has been maintained and will continue to be maintained, and it is expected it will last until a new facility is built, although nothing is guaranteed with a facility of this age.

    It is too early to predict how long it will take to build a new pool. This timeline will depend on the design, location, and many other factors. 


  • Share Is this new recreation facility planning to be MORE than just a pool/hot tub? ie. gymnasium for sports, larger fitness gym, indoor track, large playground for babies/children on Facebook Share Is this new recreation facility planning to be MORE than just a pool/hot tub? ie. gymnasium for sports, larger fitness gym, indoor track, large playground for babies/children on Twitter Share Is this new recreation facility planning to be MORE than just a pool/hot tub? ie. gymnasium for sports, larger fitness gym, indoor track, large playground for babies/children on Linkedin Email Is this new recreation facility planning to be MORE than just a pool/hot tub? ie. gymnasium for sports, larger fitness gym, indoor track, large playground for babies/children link

    Is this new recreation facility planning to be MORE than just a pool/hot tub? ie. gymnasium for sports, larger fitness gym, indoor track, large playground for babies/children

    Kristine Abbott asked about 1 year ago

    This is a great question, but it is too early in this process to offer a concrete answer. We are currently in Phase 1, which is focused on community engagement. This is when we want to hear from people in our community about what they want, or don't want, to see in a new pool. We will be offering upcoming community workshops and open houses where people can come and offer input. Phase 2 will incorporate what we hear from Phase one to form a vision of what this community wants their new aquatic facility to look like. 

    You can also fill out the first survey online, and a second one will come in Phase 2, or email aquatics@acrd.bc.ca. 

  • Share i would like to take the survey which if you want public opinion, pro or con, we need to give input not just being informed of the project activities on Facebook Share i would like to take the survey which if you want public opinion, pro or con, we need to give input not just being informed of the project activities on Twitter Share i would like to take the survey which if you want public opinion, pro or con, we need to give input not just being informed of the project activities on Linkedin Email i would like to take the survey which if you want public opinion, pro or con, we need to give input not just being informed of the project activities link

    i would like to take the survey which if you want public opinion, pro or con, we need to give input not just being informed of the project activities

    jmb asked about 1 year ago

    That's great. I hope you had a chance to do the survey. We will be offering another one in Phase 2 of the project. There will be other opportunities to share your input as Phase 1 is focused on community engagement.

  • Share would the new pool have a better area for baby and kids on Facebook Share would the new pool have a better area for baby and kids on Twitter Share would the new pool have a better area for baby and kids on Linkedin Email would the new pool have a better area for baby and kids link

    would the new pool have a better area for baby and kids

    raeleah asked about 1 year ago

    Thanks for the question. Right now we are gathering input from the community, which is the focus for Phase 1. We want to hear from people what they want to see for the future of aquatics in the Alberni Valley. This feedback will move forward to Phase 2 of the project, which is when we will start looking at the design, guided by what we heard in Phase 1. If a better area for babies and kids is important to you, make sure you share your opinion in our survey or by emailing us. We will also have some public engagement opportunities coming up soon where you can share your input.

Page last updated: 20 Mar 2024, 09:23 AM