ENGINEERING & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

1.

RICHMOND OVAL PADDLING CENTRE

(Report:  Oct. 6/06, File No.:   06-2052-50-01) (REDMS No. 2028559)

Mr. Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, asked a number of questions regarding the impact of the proposed Paddling Centre on the Oval facility.  In response, the following information was provided:

·            

the paddling centre would not have an impact on the underground parking area due to the fact that there would be no parking located under the pool (the paddling centre pool is to be constructed on the bottom level)

·            

additional water treatment and HVAC systems would be required, and would be segregated from those systems which serviced the remainder of the Oval facility

·            

the paddling centre would be constructed within a completely sealed room which should eliminate any problems with possible condensation and temperature issues occurring at ice level

·            

there would be no compromises made with respect to maintenance and materials to be used in the construction of the Oval facility in order to accommodate the paddling centre.

It was moved and seconded

That provision for a paddling centre in the raft slab of the Oval be approved at a cost of $95,000, subject to confirmation that external funding is available on or before October 16^th, 2006.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on:

·            

whether the provision of a paddling centre in the Oval facility should be approved when the source of the remaining funds had not yet been confirmed

·            

the figures provided which related to revenue potential, and whether these figures were established rates

·            

the projected student attendance figures provided for field trips, etc., and whether students would be able to participate in programs offered at the paddling centre; whether discussions had been held with the School District about who would be responsible for financing of the field trips to allow students access to the paddling centre

·            

the options which were available to the City to finance the remaining cost of the paddling centre

·            

the location (and size) of the paddling centre within the Oval facility, and how the inclusion of this facility would impact the space allotted to high performance sports

·            

how a paddling centre (rowing tank) would be more beneficial to train rowers than rowing machines

·            

whether staff would be seeking funding from external sources

·            

the depth of the tank for the padding centre.

As a result of the discussion, the following amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the main motion be amended by inserting after the words ‘external funding’, the words “without naming rights as a condition”.

DEFEATED

OPPOSED: Mayor Brodie

Cllrs. Chen

Dang

Howard

McNulty

The question on the main motion was not called, as a further amendment was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That the main motion be amended by adding the following, “That staff develop a plan for funding strategies on the balance of $350,000, provided that the Oval cost to the City of $178 Million does not increase.”

CARRIED

The question on the main motion, as amended, was then called, and it was CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:45 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, October 10^th, 2006

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant, City Clerk’s Office