Designs revealed for new $38.5-million UBC Aquatic Centre
Construction is set to begin soon on the University of British Columbia’s new $38.5-million Aquatic Centre to replace the existing 1978-built pool facilities.
The new $38.5-million facility comes as a much-needed replacement to the aging facilities that have been plagued by maintenance issues and mechanical break downs.
It will be constructed at the centre of the campus at McInnes Field, adjacent to the existing UBC Aquatic Centre and the new and expanded Student Union Building that is nearing a completion for this summer. This allows for the continued operation of the existing, highly used pool until the opening of the new facility in summer 2015 and it follows UBC’s Gage South masterplan to reconfigure the area for a new McInnes Field, a new bus loop with underground bus parking, rental and student housing, and public spaces.
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Image: Acton Ostry Architects
The new indoor pool facilities are designed by Vancouver’s Acton Ostry Architects whose on-campus work has previously included the renovations for the Sauder School of Business and Biological Sciences buildings.
The project is aiming for a LEED Gold certification and strives to accommodate both university and community needs. It will feature a competition length pool (50-metres), a recreational pool (25-metres), spectator seating, a leisure pool, hot tub, universal change rooms (in addition to male and female change rooms), wet classroom, multipurpose spaces and meeting rooms.
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
The outdoor pool built for the Empire Games is not included in the plans for the new Aquatic Centre and will eventually be the site of a student housing development. Artistic renderings also do not indicate the inclusion of a diving tower, one of the most prominent features of the the existing indoor pool.
UBC’s senior administration will provide the project with $27.5-million in funding from revenues generated by land development while UBC Athletics & Recreation will raise the remaining $11-million from donations and assume responsibility for any construction cost overruns.
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
Image: Acton Ostry Architects
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