Concept Design Underway for SC Rec Centre Expansion

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has awarded a contract for concept design services for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre (SCRC) expansion project. In total, the CRD received six responses to the concept design Request for Proposals. The successful firm is HCMA Architecture + Design from Vancouver, B.C.

HCMA and the lead architect, Paul Fast, have extensive experience designing recreation centres, recently completing the new gymnasium at Duchess Park Secondary School in Prince George, an indoor running track in Port Moody and an indoor soccer stadium in Montreal. The proposal from HCMA is within the budget target established for concept design services in the CRD’s South Cariboo Recreation budget.

“We were extremely pleased with the quality of the applications we received for this project,” stated CRD Electoral Area H Director Margo Wagner. “The South Cariboo Recreation Centre Expansion Working Group was impressed with the experience of HCMA on similar type projects and we are confident they were the best choice for the project’s concept design.”

HCMA met with the SCRC expansion working group earlier this week to understand the goals and values behind the project. The working group consists of representatives from School District #27, Community Recreation, South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, Age-Friendly Society and elected officials from the Cariboo Regional District and District of 100 Mile House.

“Our vision is to create more recreational opportunities in the South Cariboo for people of all ages and abilities,” said District of 100 Mile House Councillor Ralph Fossum. “In order to retain residents and attract new residents and professionals, our communities require more recreational opportunities.”

The proposed project will expand the South Cariboo Recreation Centre to include an indoor field, which is an enclosed space covered with artificial grass, a walking track and a gymnasium. The expansion will also include additional meeting rooms, washrooms, dressing rooms and storage areas. The initial plan is to connect the new features with the arena and curling rink to function efficiently as one building.

HCMA will begin work on the project immediately, working closely with the working group throughout the concept design process. They expect to complete the concept plan and provide a cost estimate for the project by July 2017.

Following the concept design stage, the project will require approval from the Cariboo Regional District and District of 100 Mile House before moving into public consultation. The current timeline is to hold a referendum vote in the spring of 2018.

Located in 100 Mile House, the South Cariboo Recreation Centre is owned by the Cariboo Regional District and funded through the South Cariboo Recreation service, which covers portions of Electoral Areas G, H and L and the District of 100 Mile House. The CRD has a contract with Canlan Ice Sports to manage the property and day-to-day operations.

For more information, visit the project page on the Cariboo Regional District website at cariboord.ca under South Cariboo Recreation or contact the CRD’s Manager of Community Services at 250-392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636.