Staff Report to Council Nov

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REPORT #: PRC2011-16DATE: November 14, 2011SUBMITTED TO: Mayor and CouncilSUBMITTED BY: Marta Proctor, Director of Parks,

Recreation and CultureSUBJECT: Central Park Steering Committee

Recommended DevelopmentScenario Update

1. RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council receives for information an update on the Central Park Concept Developmentproject.

2. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:

On March 28, 2011, Council endorsed that Town staff work cooperatively with the YMCA of Collingwood to investigate matters of design, cost and funding for recreational facilities atCentral Park focused on ice and water uses in the form of arena space and expanded poolfacilities.

In May 2011, Council approved the establishment of a Volunteer Steering Committee to guidethe process for the Central Park Concept Development. Since that time this group, with theassistance of Town and YMCA Staff, has been working on their mandate of investigatingscenarios for recreational facilities at Central Park with a principal focus on addressing ice andpool demand. In conjunction with this work, the Steering Committee and staff have beenengaged in providing information and soliciting community and stakeholder input on the projectas it develops.

To date a number of steps have been completed, including the following:x Striking of the Steering Committeex Developing Committee Terms of Referencex Review of key related documents and studiesx Review of communitys recreational needs in relation to general trendsx Review of demographicsx Site visits to multi-use recreation facilitiesx Implementation of a community information and communication strategy

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x Public open house meeting held at Curling Clubx On-line surveyx Conducted interviews with stakeholder groupsx Guided development options analysis conducted by architectural design firm

The work of the Steering Committee is approximately 70% complete as per the proposedtimeline presented to Council at their June 27, 2011 meeting. The remaining steps in theproject include:

x Articulation of operational model (partnership agreement between YMCA and Town)x Forecast operating budgetsx Define funding optionsx Forecast debenture implications of funding optionsx Phase 2 of stakeholder/community consultationx Preparation of final reportx Solicit feedback on final reportx Review and edit of final reportx Prepare recommendations

3. DISCUSSION:

On June 27, 2011 Council approved the Central Park Steering Committees recommendation toobtain the services of an architectural design firm to develop and cost preliminary designoptions. Through this process, the Committee has considered facility design options that wouldaccommodate the current and anticipated demand, for a minimum of two decades, for bothaquatic and ice facilities within the Central Park site, along with reviewing the physicalconstraints and amenities contained therein. Based on the analysis of various supportingdocuments, it was determined that the development scenarios should provide for a twin padarena and expanded pool facility in the existing YMCA that accommodates a retrofittedtherapeutic warm tank, and a new 25m 6 lane tank with expanded deck space. Based on theCommittees direction, and through the work of the consultant team, a range of constructionoptions that accommodated these uses were developed. The consultancy was specificallyengaged to determine accurate design options that take into account the current site and obtainreliable cost estimates. These will be subject to further review by the community andconsideration by Council.

Six conceptual designs were assessed by the Steering Committee and through this process asingle Recommended Development Scenario was identified that was superior in terms of;function, building design, place making, neighbourhood and community integration. Morespecifically, the benefits associated with the recommended scenario include:

x All facilities are well integrated both physically and programmaticallyx Interior and exterior spaces work well together to support interactions between people

for both organized and spontaneous usesx Opportunity to provide activities for all agesx Lowest impact on neighbouring residential uses

The Steering Committees Recommended Development Scenario consists of an integratedfacility which includes: a twin ice pad; flexible community centre uses in a shared commonspace; the YMCA pool expansion, which includes an expanded pool deck to support

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competitions; the existing curling rink; and, remediated park. The architects final reportincludes an executive summary detailing the recommended scenario and is attached asappendix A.

The estimated cost of the Recommended Development Scenario is submitted as $34million and includes the following;

x A new integrated reception areax Construction of twin ice pad and community centrex Upgrades to the existing YMCA pool tank and construction of an additional 25m 6 lane

pool tankx Expanded pool decking to accommodate viewing areas and competitive meetsx Integrated common space which includes the existing Curling and Lawn Bowling Clubsx Remediation to deteriorated curling club wallsx Furniture, Fixtures and Equipmentx Site Development and associated parklandx

Contingenciesx Ball diamond relocation

The proposed work will significantly enhance the spectrum of recreation opportunities byaugmenting the already existing infrastructure which includes;

x Curling Facilitiesx Fitness Centrex Gymnasiumx Multi-Programming space

The Steering Committee requested assigning a higher than average contingency calculation

(20% versus the typical industry standard of 15%) due to the limited scope of the analysisconducted to date; the complexity of integrating existing infrastructure of different ages and tobetter ensure that budgeting would not be subject to unexpected cost overages.

Of particular importance, is that through the concept design process, it was recognized that thecurling club walls require remediation regardless of the status of this project. This work hasbeen currently estimated at $410,000 and further assessment has been scheduled to detail thework and confirm accurate costs.

The estimated cost of the Recommended Development Scenario does not include thefollowing;

x New Artificial Outdoor ice pad - $605,000 (proposed to be put on hold for future

consideration in later year park development plans)

In an effort to better inform the potential of this opportunity, numerous recreation facilities wereexplored from the perspective of design, cost, funding and operating frameworks. This process,confirmed that the costs associated with constructing the proposed facility fall in line with our current similar construction comparatives. There are numerous mechanisms that funded thevarious projects explored to include; municipal tax base, developmental charges, public privatepartnerships, donations and contributions from other orders of government. Sourcingappropriate funding opportunities for the Central Park project will be a primary area of focus in

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the next phase of the Steering Committees work, and recommendations will be put forward withthe final report.

There have also been clearly identified benefits, particularly in the area of operating efficiencies,from established partnership ventures with the YMCA. Based on community feedback, and toassist with the Central Park Concept Design the Steering Committee developed the followingprinciples which would guide the establishment an operating agreement upon approval of thisproject;

(a) Access and Equity Programs and services will be provided to all residentsregardless of ones background. Gender equity is paramount.

(b) Service Friendly Programs and services will be based on community need.(c) Choices and Options The centre will ensure that membership, program

participation and casual use options are available to the residents in both activeand creative opportunities.

(d) Recreation and Sport for Life All efforts will be made to encourage andmotivate residents to continue to be active for life.

(e) Healthy Individuals and Communities Programs and services will aim toimprove the social, physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well being of residents and the town as a whole.

(f) Building Capacity within the Community The facility will be a centre of community supporting volunteerism and community organizations.

(g) Environmental Stewardship Operations and programs will strive to respect,protect and enhance the environment.

(h) Seamless Operations The town and YMCA will work together to provide asseamless an experience for the user as possible.

(i) Sustainability All efforts will be made to reduce expenditures and increaserevenues to ensure that the centre operations are sustainable over time.

In recommending the proposed next steps, the Steering Committee reviewed its Terms of Reference which outlined a commitment to community engagement and stated that preferredcourses of action will be identified and presented to the partner organizations, community andstakeholders. A variety of methods have been used to ensure that the public are aware of information relating to the Project; as well as notifying them of ways in which they can provideinput to the Steering Committee and staff. The methods listed below will continue to be used toexpress the characteristics of the Steering Committees Recommend Development Scenario.

x On-line blog site ( www.collingwoodcentralpark.blogspot.com )x On-line survey(s)x News paper advertisementsx Stakeholder interviews and email noticesx Town web sitex Planning Services Facebook Page

A Public Open House will be scheduled during the week of November 28, 2011. The primaryintent of the second phase of public consultation will be to solicit feedback on;

x the outlined components of the Recommended Development Scenariox proposed principles of the operating agreementx projected budget implications

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Upon summarizing the feedback from the public consultation, the information will be compiledinto a final report and the complete report, along with recommendations, will be presented toCouncil in late January 2012.

4. DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:

This report was reviewed and discussed by Department Heads November 8, 2011 and their input has been incorporated into this report.

5. EFFECT ON TOWN FINANCES:

As this is an interim report on this project, there are currently no budget impacts.

6. DISPOSITION:

The Parks, Recreation and Culture department has been instrumental in guiding and assistingthis process. The Final Report outlining the outcomes and recommendations is projected to bebrought forward to Council in January 2012.

7. APPENDICES:

None

Attached Appendix A, WGD Architects Executive Summary

Prepared by;

Robert Voigt, Manager Planning and Infrastructure

Submitted by;

Marta Proctor, Director Parks, Recreation and Culture

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EXPANSION OPTIONS ANALYSIS - COLLINGWOODS CENTRAL PARK

WGD ARCHITECTS INC. 2

Executive Summary

The project assignment included for the evaluation of options for a twin-pad expansion at the Town

of Collingwoods Central Park. One option is to be explored for cost and urban impact in detail,

following a more general evaluation of opportunities and constraints. The assignment also included

the assessment of existing building conditions, at a high level, in order to determine how integration

of existing features may be accommodated. The study includes the condition assessment, the

exploration of options for expansion, and more detailed evaluations of an expansion option that

would include conceptual costing.

A major finding in the assessment was the deteriorating condition of the curling rink wall. Its poor

condition may be due to a number of factors including the result of a previous condition such as

poor roof installation, to driving rains, or due to the unusual use of a solid brick wall enclosure for

an unintended cold interior environment. Water has by observation been condensing at the innerwythe of the wall, freezing and in turn causing the individual bricks to fail, resulting in powdery

units that can easily be scraped away by hand. This condition needs to be explored in greater detail

than the study allows.

The committee gravitated towards a preferred conceptual design that included an integrated arena

where the existing curling rink and YMCA were included in a recreation complex that would share

common spaces as well as amenities. Costing has been prepared for further analysis regarding the

costs and benefits of the option.

In preparing the option, the team considered the location of the existing ice pad as a starting point.The team reviewed comments regarding the performance of the outdoor slab, but determined that it

was generally in good condition, with correctable shortcomings. However the location of the

existing outdoor pad resulted in severe planning restrictions on any expansion of the recreation

campus. The restrictions are discussed in the planning options.

The option developed for more consideration includes an integrated arena option that builds on the

existing amenities of the Curling Rink and YMCA, developing a multi-purpose internal connection

that would enhance the overall user experience for a combined facility. The preferred option

features a spacious spine that has two major entrances, one at the north that serves primarily the

curling rink and YMCA, and another to the south that is primarily the ice rink entrance, althoughusers could enter at either end and still find their way to the respective amenities. The YMCA in this

scenario would have a new main entrance opening into the spine, as would the curling club. Views

into the curling rink would be opened up into the spine, animating the space. Community rooms

and multi-purpose function rooms would also be organized off of the spine. This approach retains

the existing lawn bowling club and includes for a new clubhouse area that would become integral to

the recreation centre complex. The new twin pad arena is organized perpendicular to the spine,

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EXPANSION OPTIONS ANALYSIS - COLLINGWOODS CENTRAL PARK

WGD ARCHITECTS INC. 3

allowing for views into the rinks from the ends. Organized between the pads are the dressing rooms.

Above the dressing room there is spectator seating, which is accessible by either a stair or elevator.

In the rinks, it is proposed that a running track could be included, which would be above the

perimeter of one of the ice pads.

The total cost of the Steering Committees recommended conceptual design which includes a twin

ice pad, a community centre, the YMCA pool expansion, an expanded pool deck to support

competitions, the existing curling rink repair and remediation and park development costs is an

estimated $33.4 million .

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Documents

Staff Report to Council Nov