Massive new $80-million Richmond aquatic centre to open March 11
The City of Richmond has announced an opening date for its largest new recreational facility since the construction of the Richmond Olympic Oval a decade ago.
Minoru Centre for Active Living at 7191 Granville Avenue — just southwest of CF Richmond Centre shopping mall — is slated to open to the public on Monday, March 11. An official grand opening celebration event will follow in early-April.
See also
- Fasten your goggles: 19 photos of the new $39-million UBC Aquatic Centre
- $237-million iconic aquatic and recreation centre approved for North Vancouver (RENDERINGS)
- $490-million expansion of East Vancouver community and recreational hub approved
- Canada Games Pool could be replaced with new $100-million facility
- Huge 24-court Tennis Canada facility to be constructed in Burnaby
Designed by HCMA Architecture + Design, the new state-of-the-art, 110,000-sq-ft facility has an aquatic centre with 60% more surface water area than the existing 58-year-old Minoru Aquatic Centre. This includes two 25-metre length swimming pools — one eight-lane tank and one six-lane tank — and a large leisure pool with a large lazy river run, water sprays, and play features.
Artistic rendering of Minoru Centre for Active Living. (HCMA Architecture + Design)
Artistic rendering of Minoru Centre for Active Living. (HCMA Architecture + Design)
The leisure pool will have a significant functional public art piece: A whimsical white cloud dubbed the “Errant Rain Cloud” by local artists Germaine Koh and Gordon Hicks will hang above this playing pool and mimic the natural atmospheric rain cycle by periodically producing a gentle rainfall.
A wellness area will boast Canada’s two largest hot tubs, a cold plunge pool, a steam room, saunas, and an 8,500-sq-ft fitness gym.
As well, a large change room area features a mix of gender-specific and universal change areas — similar to the new UBC Aquatic Centre.
Artistic rendering of Minoru Centre for Active Living. (HCMA Architecture + Design)
Artistic rendering of Minoru Centre for Active Living. (HCMA Architecture + Design)
Other facilities include a two-level seniors’ centre with a lounge, full-service cafe, and a range of activity rooms, such as an arts studio, woodworking shop, and billiards/games room. This new seniors’ centre doubles the program space of the existing Minoru Place Activity Centre, which will serve the fastest growing segment of Richmond’s population.
Support spaces within the new facility include a full-service cafeteria and bistro, commercial kitchen, and three new outdoor public plazas suitable for events.
To support the activity that occurs outside on the recently renovated sports fields within Minoru Park, the facility includes eight team rooms for sport field users, which would benefit tournaments and events held at the park.
Artistic rendering of Minoru Centre for Active Living. (HCMA Architecture + Design)
“This spectacular facility will provide a major expansion of seniors services, aquatics and other sport and recreation services for our community,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a statement.
“With its outstanding array of services, iconic design and prominent location in the heart of Richmond, the Minoru Centre for Active Living will quickly become one of the jewels of our community.”
The new facility cost about $80 million and its opening was originally scheduled for fall 2018, but it was pushed back due to construction delays.
View this post on Instagram
Follow Channels and Categories