Image: MP Brad Vis / The District of Kent in Agassiz says council has unanimously approved the issuance of a letter of intent to a contractor for the construction of the Lets'emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre at a projected cost of $23.4 million.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Regional aquatic centre

District of Kent moves ahead with construction of $23.4 million regional aquatic centre

May 23, 2024 | 9:50 AM

AGASSIZ — The District of Kent in Agassiz says council has unanimously approved the issuance of a letter of intent to a contractor for the construction of the Lets’emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre.

According to a news release dated Thursday, May 16, councillors in Kent on Monday, May 13 approved a letter of intent with Chandos Construction LP to build the recreation and aquatic centre at a projected construction contract price of $23,476,013.

While further negotiations between Bingham Hill Architects (design team) and Chandos Construction LP (construction manager) are ongoing, the projected construction contract price of $23.4 million can be adjusted with any additional savings identified. The district estimates that site works will begin in early July 2024, with a draft project timeline of a 20-month construction period.

The District of Kent says it is excited to unveil the updated name and logo for the future regional recreation & aquatic centre. The newly updated pool name is Lets’emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre versus the previous name that did not include the regional recreation component.

“The Halqemeylem word “Lets’emot” stands for ‘One Heart, One Mind’, which is the intent of the new indoor pool in the spirit of embracing all the neighbouring communities,” the district wrote in its news release dated Thursday, May 16.

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Once the new centre opens, the current Community Recreation and Cultural Centre (CRCC) will shift its name over to the Lets’emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre (LRRAC).

The district is assuring the community that the Lets’emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre will be future hub for recreation and will promote accessibility, inclusion, and social connection, to ensure that everyone feels welcome to use the facility.

“We are excited to continue to welcome our neighbours of Harrison Hot Springs, Cheam First Nation, Seabird Island, Sts’ailes, Sq’éwlets First Nation, and Electoral Area D of the Fraser Valley Regional District to our new facility,” the district said.

The district held an open house this past Tuesday night, May 21 at 6600 Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz. District staff attended to answer questions and provide more information about the regional aquatic centre.

Residents are still being asked to consider donating in order to help them “fill the pool.” While the federal government announced in April 2022 that it would provide $454,112, and the provincial government would fund $9,545,888 towards a new regional aquatic centre in the District of Kent, MP Brad Vis, representing Agassiz, says inflation and supply chain challenges have increased the cost of construction by 30 per cent.

The District of Kent says it will contribute $6.4 million towards the estimated $20 million cost of building the Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre. However, this original estimate of $20 million appears to have significantly increased.

According to minutes from its meeting on January 23, 2023, the District of Kent will pitch in $4.4 million from the city’s Community Works Fund and $2 million from its general capital reserve.

“In a continued effort to remain transparent and reinforce their commitment to the building of the Lets’emot Regional Aquatic Centre, Council has approved updating the large fundraising signs located outside the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre, at Pioneer Park, and the new Visitor Kiosk, to reflect the District’s contribution of $6.4 million,” the District of Kent wrote on its website in early 2023.

The District of Kent has been eyeing a new regional aquatic centre for some time now, but the municipality still needs more funding based on the assumption that it receives a maximum grant of $10 million from the federal and provincial governments.

The municipality continues to seek additional funding opportunities from other levels of government as well as fundraising opportunities, it wrote on its website. A fundraising committee meets regularly to plan community events to help the District reach its community fundraising goal of $1 million.

“Mayor (Sylvia) Pranger expressed her gratitude to the various government agencies that have already granted funds and mentioned that more grant applications are underway,” the district said online.

The town’s beloved Ferny Coombe Outdoor Pool, located at 6820 Pioneer Avenue, was built in 1978 and has remained a vital community asset in the District of Kent. It is also home to the Agassiz-Harrison Aquanauts competitive swim club.

The new aquatic centre will be a 27,000-square foot facility, connected to the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre, and feature such indoor amenities as an eight-lane lap pool, leisure pool, whirlpool, steam and sauna, spectator viewing area, activity space, community room, lifeguard station, and universal and gender-specific change rooms,