Vernon's Active Living Centre (ALC), with its $136 million price tag, is on track to be completed by the fall of 2026.
Project program manager Doug Ross presented the quarterly update for the ALC at the city's Monday, Dec. 9 Committee of the Whole meeting.
According to Ross, early savings in the design and procurement phases have led to more purchases on the project team's wish list, which includes indirect lighting in the 50m pool, security camera upgrades, and a battery-operated version of the .
Six pool construction permits from Interior Health have been approved, one for each of the six bodies of water, as the concrete foundations for the pool areas have been poured and are nearing completion.
Plans for the next quarter include the completion of the interior design and advancing design features that align with the council's goal of reflecting the syilx culture in the facility.
Public feedback has been "enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive," according to Ross, as the project team has engaged with the community through events such as the Fall Home Show and a session with the OKIB community.
Suggested design elements from the syilx community is to incorporate themes of water, land, and sky, using syilx captikÊ·Å‚ characters in the leisure pool, featuring nsyilxcen language in signage, and including indigenous plantings in the landscape plan.
The next steps involve incorporating these elements into the design and forming an nsyilxcen language committee with representation from members of the OKIB community.
The project team is also collaborating with Alexis Park Elementary School and the OKIB Cultural Immersion School on an initiative for students to paint panels for the construction fencing along 43rd Avenue.
The project will not exceed a maximum cost of $135,941,009, and the next quarterly update will take place in April, 2025.
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