Friday, August 7, 2015

Sam Ketchum Pool Upgrade Open House Resounding Success

Joint Release of the City of Williams Lake/Cariboo Regional District:

Yesterday, the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake Sam Ketcham Pool (SKP) Upgrade Open House proved to be extremely productive for the local governments, Project Managers and Architects.

The schematic design for the SKP Upgrade project at the West Fraser Aquatic Centre was presented by VDA Architects to the Central Cariboo Joint Committee (CCJC) on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, the committee endorsed the design to be presented as part of the public open house on Wednesday.

Prior to the open house, which was held at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, meetings were offered to First Nations and stakeholder groups including the accessibility committee, seniors, School District #27, and the Blue Fins Swim Club for direct input to the design team. 

“The design was well received by the public with good feedback and suggestions provided,” says CRD Electoral Area F Director and Pool Working Group Committee member Joan Sorley. “On behalf of the working group, I thank the stakeholder groups and residents for taking time out of their busy schedules to provide some valuable input into this project.”

“The public input was greatly appreciated this past week on the Sam Ketcham Pool Renovations,” states Williams Lake Councillor Ivan Bonnell. “This is the natural evolution of projects, and now that we have the input from the public, the Pool Working Group Committee can now move forward with awarding contracts and proceeding with the planned timelines.  Design schematics are on display in the pool lobby for all to see if you missed the Open House.”

The next steps in this process will include detailed design development with an estimated completion by the end of September. The first tenders for the project will be released this fall with construction to begin in the spring of 2016. Completion of the SKP Upgrade Project is slated for the summer of 2017.

A parking improvement plan for the project was also endorsed in principle by the CCJC on Tuesday. The preferred option would see a redesign of the existing parking area at the complex as well as expansion into the ball field adjacent to the property. The expansion area will be under consideration by city council in August, 2015.

To view the current concept designs, or for further information about the Sam Ketcham Pool Upgrade Project, visit us online at cariboord.ca or williamslake.ca. Information is also available on Facebook at facebook.com/SKPproject or on twitter at @SKPproject.

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