Wilmot Recreation Complex | Phase 2 Expansion

[UrbanWaterloo]

Wilmot Recreation Complex
1291 Nafziger Road, Baden
http://www.wilmot.ca/facilitiesandrecreation/facilities/wrc.htm

http://www.drennan.on.ca/images/wilmot.jpg
http://www.drennan.on.ca/projects.asp

http://nhindependent.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/pool.jpg

General Information:
This multi-use recreational facility is the Township’s newest state-of-the-art complex recently celebrating its Official Grand Opening on Saturday, June 14, 2008.

Large, bright well lit complex is an excellent venue for home or trade shows, expositions, etc. Ample parking and easy access from Highway 7 / 8 centrally located drawing from a large population base from London / Woodstock / Kitchener to Toronto.

The facility offers a wide range of activities from ice skating / hockey on two NHL sized ice surfaces during the winter months. During the summer, ice is taken out of one arena providing the opportunity to ice skate or play hockey in one arena and roller skate or play floor hockey in the other.

The large Community Centre (capacity 250 or 110 when divided) will accommodate special events such as wedding receptions, parties, lectures and conferences. It is the new home of the Wilmot Seniors Shuffleboard group.

A second meeting room will accommodate up to 40 people suitable for small birthday parties or meetings.

Special Features:
Large lobby space on two floors, bright community room with well-equipped kitchen (tables –rectangular and chairs.) – arenas with fixed seating (Schout Performance Arena over 750 and New Hamburg Optimist Arena over 350)


Expansion of the Wilmot Recreation Complex
http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/initiatives/eng/index.asp?mode=8&imode=7&initiativeid=113&id=610

Initiative: Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund (http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/initiatives/eng/index.asp?mode=2&initiativeID=113)
Description: The project will expand the Wilmot Recreation Complex. The work includes the construction of a state-of-the-art aquatic centre that would include an eight-lane, 25-metre competitive training pool, a warm-water leisure pool (28'x82'), a dry land training centre, a three-lane indoor walking/running track, an active living centre for seniors, a youth centre and an expanded parking area.
Federal Funding: $3,016,110
Total Project Value: $9,048,330
Related Website(s): http://www.creatingjobs.gc.ca

[UrbanWaterloo]

August 10th Council Meeting - Wilmot Recreation Complex Phase II is kicking off...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Posted by Elliot Fung at 5:37 PM
http://wilmotward1.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-10th-council-meeting-wilmot.html

The opportunity that Wilmot has been given to build Phase II of our Wilmot Recreation Complex is a gift not to be taken lightly.
Phase II, including an aquatics centre, Youth centre, indoor walking track and Seniors centre will cost just over $9,000,000.00 and thanks to Federal and Provincial funding as well as sound financial planning on behalf of Wilmot Council and staff, it will be built without debenturing or having to increase tax revenues.

At the Budget Ad-Hoc meeting on August 10th, there was a discussion over whether or not to re-hire our Project Manager from Phase I and the Grandstand projects. Over the years, Wilmot has built a good working relationship with this management team - and most importantly the project management team provides a consistent and reliable service which is below costs compared to others in the industry. There is certain perceptions about deficiencies with these buildings, many of which I do not share.

The debate at Council is not about whether or not to tender for the service; the debate is about whether or not Council has faith and confidence in the project management team. As a steward of the Township, when embarking on a $9,000,000.00 project I do not want a Project Manager promising to deliver on something and cutting corners and sacrificing quality to make it happen; I want a Project Manager who has the professionalism and courtesy to say to me that the project is at risk or timelines are delayed due to certain specific and valid reasons. That way, I can work with the PM to identify risks, challenges and mitigation strategies instead of forcing them to a schedule that can jeopardize the entire project. I feel with our PM we have this type of reliable team on board to help Wilmot realize the dream of Phase II in a timely yet efficient and open manner.


Wilmot Recreation Complex Phase II - Public Information Centre!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Posted by Elliot Fung at 6:31 PM
http://wilmotward1.blogspot.com/2009/09/wilmot-recreation-complex-phase-ii.html

It was great seeing lots of people out this evening at our Wilmot Recreation Complex for the Public Information Centre for Phase II. The public had an opportunity to view and make comments on the designs for our new aquatics centre which includes an 8-lap competitive swim pool, a leisure/therapy pool, indoor walking/running track, seniors active living centre and youth centres. I heard lots of valuable feedback ranging from accessibility, parking, and even a few questions on the park developments in New Dundee!
Council will consider the final designs on September 14th and we hope to have shovels in the ground in the spring of 2010!


Donation from Senior Games goes to Wilmot Active Living Centre
Doug Coxson, Independent staff
February 3, 2010 by nheditor
http://nhindependent.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/donation-from-senior-games-goes-to-wilmot-active-living-centre/

http://nhindependent.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/wayneandterry.jpg?w=300&h=216
Wilmot Mayor Wayne Roth accepts a cheque for $3,761.92 from councillor and senior games chair Terry Broda recently. The money, designated for the Active Living Centre in Phase 2 of the Wilmot Recreation Centre, was raised last summer when Wilmot hosted the District Senior Games.


Council votes down Phase 2 linking corridor
By Doug Coxson, Independent Staff
Feb 04, 2010 - http://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/news/article/201513

http://media.halton2.topscms.com/images/b1/3e/9421c57e4cff88e30f0da186a3a2.jpeg
G. B. ARCHITECT | A view of the northeast parking lot and entrance, which has been designed to accommodate people with mobility issues. A linking hallway between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Wilmot Recreation Complex is located on the second floor directly above this entrance and beside the existing elevator. Two linking corridors are located on either end of the first floor.

A front-access, second-floor link between Phase 1 and Phase 2 won’t be part of the plan for the Wilmot Recreation Complex once construction gets underway on the new aquatic centre this year.

Wilmot councillors, staff and the project’s architect ran through a range of options during a special meeting of council last week. And although all are technically feasible, none were recommended due to costs, loss of existing uses in the community room, implications for storage, traffic flow, and the overall look of both facilities.

Adding an external link at the front of both phases would cost an estimated $355,000 and disrupt access through the south entrance of the WRC for about four months.

An internal linking corridor immediately north of the men’s washroom on the second floor would cost about $83,000, eliminate table and chair storage, force removal of a janitor’s room, coat rack, trophy case and a kitchenette, and severely limit the area used for shuffleboard now. The move would reduce banquet-seating capacity by about 25 people.

This option would also force people to travel against traffic on the walking track to access the corridor.

Adding another $122,900 to the cost of that option could extend the floor space of the entire facility by moving the Phase 2 building footprint eastward and create a five-foot wide walking path between the elevator and the corridor.

Another possibility would force patrons to cross the walking track in two locations by creating a widened walkway around the multipurpose room on the second floor. The option would require additional support columns on the first floor near the pool reception area at a cost of about $11,000.

Another “very expensive and unwise” option would create a corridor where the second-floor washrooms are now. This isn’t recommended since there is nowhere to relocate the washrooms in Phase 1.

And it appears accessibility isn’t the issue since one elevator and one linking hallway at the back of the facility is considered more than enough to meet accessibility requirements in provincial building code. According to the architect, “this facility is far more accessible than any other facility of its kind that we are aware of.”

Distances were also examined. In the existing scenario, people using the elevator have to travel about 110 metres from parking stall to the ramp to spectator viewing on the second floor. Once the elevator in Phase 2 is built, that distance would only be reduced by about 10 metres if an interior link is added.

People entering from the northeast parking lot, however, would only have to travel about 70 metres to get to the ramp.

GB Architect Inc. was asked to explore options for the second liking hallway last fall after councillors agreed to add a second elevator near the front entrance of what will be the aquatic centre.

Councillor Terry Broda pushed for the second elevator after hearing complaints from the community about the location of the existing elevator at the WRC and hearing the same from the township’s accessibility advisory committee.

Despite hearing that a new north entrance and adjacent parking lot will become the main entrance for people heading to the Active Living Centre for seniors, council agreed to spend $150,000 on the second elevator at the south entrance.

A second link was sought by the accessibility committee to allow anyone with limited mobility to move easily between the two facilities once on the second floor. A second-floor link at the back of the facilities, next to the existing elevator, is already part of the floor plan.

The accessibility committee has since conceded that adding another link isn’t feasible, or required.

But councillor Broda still wanted to review costs and options before dropping the idea entirely.

After hearing architect Guy Bellehumeur, of Stratford-based GB Architect Inc., run through all the options, Broda remained unconvinced an internal corridor wouldn’t work and suggested staff and community groups affected by the implications should make sacrifices.

“By not putting it in I believe in a year or two it’s going to be a very large mistake. And we’re going to hear about it,” he said. “I just think it’s one more thing we can do to enhance the whole building.”

Broda doesn’t believe New Hamburg people driving into the complex from Nafziger Road will park at a northeast entrance.

“You’re guessing what’s happening in the future. If they want immediate access they’ll park in the north,” Bellehumeur countered.

“First of all I don’t even think you need a second elevator,” he added. “I think it’s a great addition for what we’re doing here, but it’s more for the pool facilities.”

The other members of council agreed with Bellehumeur.

“When I was considering the second elevator I was considering it for the pool,” councilor Elliot Fung said.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to go this far,” added councilor Les Armstrong. “I thought we’d been through it already and settled it. I find now it was unnecessary to do so.”

“I had a meeting with the shuffleboard people and they’ve said this room is tight to begin with,” commented Mayor Wayne Roth. ‘The consequences of what you are asking are far greater than the benefits.”

In the end, Broda made a motion for council to reconsider the decision to approve the working drawings for Phase 2.

His motion was lost. The project consultant is expected to call for tenders on the project immediately. Phase 2 of the Wilmot Recreation Complex is expected to open by March 2011.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Winter fun proves costly
Mar 10, 2010 - http://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/news/article/204683

http://media.halton2.topscms.com/images/65/c3/2f80115b480eb35d6ef21847246a.jpeg
Wilmot’s parks and facilities manager Geoff Dubrick stands beside damage caused by snowmobiles in the WRC soccer fields.

Somebody’s fun has cost taxpayers money and could mean local soccer teams will be playing on a rougher than normal surface this spring.

Staff at the Wilmot Recreation Complex were less than impressed to discover snowmobile tracks all over the facility’s soccer fields last week. The icing on the cake was when they found the starting line for what appeared to be where two snowmobiles had a drag race.

This may seem like harmless fun, but the snowfall wasn’t deep enough to sustain more than a few laps of the snow machines.

As a result, the turf has been torn apart in several locations, with the worst damage at the starting line of the impromptu race.

Operating a snowmobile, or any motorized vehicle, is prohibited in parks under township bylaws.

No one can ride, park or drive a motorized snow machine in any park in the township, under bylaw No. 93-92. The full damage won’t be assessed until after the snow melts.

But as of right now, staff anticipate they’ll have to redo much of the work they did in the fall to get the fields into top shape. That means more rolling, aerating and reseeding along with the necessary manpower cost which comes from everyone’s tax dollars.

Because it is next to impossible to stop a snowmobile from entering the park, and catching the culprit just as unlikely, township staff plead with snowmobiler operators to exercise a shred of common sense and stay off parkland.