The best option for a new indoor multi-sports courts facility in Quesnel would be a $4.1-million pre-engineered metal building in front of the existing Arts and Recreation Centre (ARC), says a consultant.
David Hewko with David Hewko Planning and Program Management presented a feasibility study at a North Cariboo Joint Advisory meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The study’s release comes after an online survey attracted 46 responses and an open house that 12 people attended this past spring.
Hewko explored four options for the location of an indoor courts facility between 10,600 to 10,900 square feet that would allow for various activities such as pickleball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, ball hockey and indoor climbing.
“The big player in this really is pickleball,” Hewko said, noting there are about 105 to 112 current regular participants.
The Quesnel Pickleball Club currently books 12 indoor hours weekly at Quesnel Junior School, Bouchie Lake, and Red Bluff Elementary Schools. They also seasonally play at the West Fraser Timber Park.
According to Hewko, the city needs to determine how the indoor courts centre will be efficiently and economically operated, and what mechanism will be used to allocate booktime and inventory equitably.
Hewko reviewed each of the four available location options for a facility, including at the rear of the existing ARC should plans for a gymnastics facility there not fall through. Stand-alone buildings were analyzed in the east parking lot of the existing ARC and at an undeveloped portion adjacent to the indoor soccer facility.
“Any of the options that look at building at the ARC have to have additional parking,” Hewko said. “You’re considering a pool expansion project, you’re considering a gymnastics facility and you’re considering this.”
Additional parking for the proposed facility in front of the existing ARC complex could be built on the edge of the rodeo grounds, a strip behind the fence, which Hewko said would result in 48 parking spaces.
A new lobby extension would be contiguous with the main reception area, allowing the new space to be used for special events without impacting normal ARC operations.
”This new addition would be slightly taller — about 10 to 15 feet taller than the existing ARC,” Hewko said of the option placing the new facility in front of the existing ARC complex, and in effect (with the pool expansion) creates a new and modern ‘face’ for the recreation complex.
“It would have presence and visibility from the road.”
The 10,600-square-foot pre-engineered metal building is projected to cost $4,159,895 based on construction costs for 2023. A building constructed of masonry/wood at the same location is estimated at $5,175,575.
Fabric structures are not recommended for the front side of the ARC for aesthetic and functional reasons, Hewko noted in the study. Air-supported structure fabric and rigid-frame fabric would also need to be replaced in 15 years.
Hewko said soaring construction and material costs are nearly doubling the cost of living.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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