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$69.4-million Crystal Pool project moves ahead, grants or not

Design contract awarded for replacement of aging Victoria pool
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Artist rendering of the Crystal Pool replacement. (Submitted)

The Crystal Pool replacement project is going forward, although federal and provincial funding has not yet been secured.

The City has awarded the $3.3 million design contract to HCMA Architecture + Design. The company has designed other aquatic and recreation facilities, such as Vancouver’s Hillcrest Centre, and Surrey’s Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre.

The City submitted a $6 million grant application for funding to Union of B.C. Municipalities for the Gas Tax Capital Projects program earlier this year, but awards are not going to be announced until first quarter next year. Funding from provincial and federal governments still has not been decided.

Council voted unanimously in February to replace the nearly 50-year-old facility, with a total budget of $69.4 million for the project, not expected to be completed until 2021.

According to a staff report, City officials have talked to more than 2,000 Victoria residents at festivals, community events and coffee shops about the project.

lauren.boothby

@vicnews.com