The latest estimated cost to upgrade the Qualicum Beach Ravensong Aquatic Centre now sits at $26,324,700.
The Ravensong Pool expansion project, initiated in 2021, was held back as the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) explored the feasibility of building a pool in the City of Parksville. A proposed feasibility study failed to gain any support, prompting the RDN board to revive the Qualicum Beach pool project last March.
The RDN hired consultant FaulknerBrowns to update the design and Class B costing for the Ravensong Pool expansion project. The amount is now estimated at $26,324,700, not including a construction escalation contingency amount of $1,932,800 (12-month period to tender).
A breakdown of the cost:
• Site development — $1,232,000
• New building construction — $14,889,700
• Interior renovations — $3,086,000
• Work allowances — $120,000
• Soft & project costs — $6,997,000
• Construction escalation contingency — $1,932,800
According to RDN general manager of Recreation and Parks, Tom Osborne, they will present a report in September or October that will include a detailed design, final estimate of the cost and related timelines. Once that is done, a referendum via electoral approval process is expected to be held sometime in 2025.
When the project was approved in 2021, the cost was estimated at approximately $20 million.