Things are looking good for Drayton Valley’s new Aquatic Centre.
“It’s on time and it’s on budget,“ said Hans van Klaveren, the Town’s General Manager of Community Services and Recreation during a tour of the facility last Friday.
That means residents can expect to get their feet wet in the pool by an anticipated opening day in mid-October.
In the meantime, building work continues and the site is still very much an active construction zone. Last week workers were beginning to install tiling on the main pool. Hydrostatic testing was being carried out on the lazy river. That’s a process where components such as piping systems are tested for strength and leaks.
The roof of the Aquatic Centre is complete, and features an array of 634 solar panels capable of generating 300 kw at peak times. Those panels are part of a larger initiative to attempt to limit the facility’s operating costs. Other steps taken include a building envelope that has been upgraded with a thermally broken curtain wall system. All windows will have double pane glazing, and all basins, showers, water closets, sinks, and toilets will utilize low flow technology. Continuous gutters and surge tanks will alleviate water waste due to splash out.
Once complete the Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre will feature a 25 metre, eight lane lap pool that’s deep enough for diving, along with a leisure pool with a slide and a lazy river with multiple spray features. There will also be a multi-purpose room, a steam room and a hot tub. It will replace the existing Park Valley Pool, which was built in 1985.
Work on the Aquatic Centre began in early 2021, with a budgeted cost just shy of $22 million. That money came in the form of $5 million each from Brazeau County and the Town of Drayton Valley and a $7.5 million grant from the federal government. The balance was raised through smaller grants and a number of corporate donations and sponsorships.
It’s anticipated that the new facility will attract around 116,000 users per year, compared to 86,000 for the Park Valley Pool. Drop in user fees for the Aquatic Centre have been set at $9.85 for an adult, $7.85 for student or a senior and $6.85 for a child under the age of eight. Passes and punch cards will be offered at a lower rate.
