A new leisure pool with beach entry, water spray features and new hot pool are among the proposed plans for Coquitlam’s Spani Pool.
COQUITLAM, B.C., June 23, 2021 – A new leisure pool with beach entry, water spray features and new hot pool are among the proposed plans for Coquitlam’s Spani Pool.
The City consulted hundreds of residents, recreational and competitive swimmers, and other stakeholders from summer 2020 to spring of 2021 on the planned renewal of the 50-year-old pool in Mundy Park. Refurbishing Spani into a fun, inclusive and sustainable outdoor pool between 2021 and 2025 is a priority project in Coquitlam’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan and its 25-year Aquatic Services and Infrastructure Strategy.
Renewing a Community Asset
The City launched the renewal study in spring 2020 to define the upgrades and cost of renewing the pool, which features a 25-metre lap pool, dive tank, changerooms and washrooms.
Spani is used primarily for recreation swimming, as well as a variety of other uses such as lessons, fitness, play and competitive swimming. Spani has been the Coquitlam Sharks Swim Club’s home pool for the last five decades for its meets and training.
Public engagement included a community survey, dedicated engagement page at www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/spani and direct consultation with the Sharks, Storm Water Polo Club, Aquasonics Synchronized Swimming Club, Tri-City Triathletes Club, Hyack Swim Club and the City’s Aquatic Recreation team. Sessions also took place with the City’s Universal Access-Ability Committee and Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee.
What the Community Said About Spani
The project generated considerable interest, with more than 675 survey responses and 1,700 visits to the engagement webpage. About half of the respondents said they use the pool at least once a month.
While survey respondents place a high value on Spani’s forested setting in Mundy Park, they indicated concern about inadequate changerooms and washrooms, limited play features and interest in expanded picnic space and seating. Improvements to these features would help draw them to the pool, along with a covered/shaded area, shallow beach entry and enhanced natural landscaping inspired by Mundy Park.
Expanded Programming and Accessibility
Armed with the community’s feedback, staff are preparing a detailed design to present to Council in early 2022 based on a vision of Spani as a summer retreat in a forested setting with swimming and leisure opportunities for all residents. The expanded facility will be more inclusive for all ages and abilities, and maximize the range of aquatic lessons and programming offerings.
Proposed features will include:
- A shallow beach entry, splash area, lazy river and separate hot pool;
- A 1.2-metre deep end for fun activities for children and youth, a warm-up area during swim meets and a back-up lap swimming area;
- Accessible universal changerooms and year-round accessible public washrooms;
- A servery; and
- An indoor multi-purpose room for year-round programming.
Facility Upgrades to Improve Accessibility, Efficiency
The project will include reconstructing the buildings on site and renovating the existing tank, gutter system and decking. A new building location will allow for a more accessible and efficient pick-up and drop-off area, and the sidewalk will be extended from the bus stop to improve access to transit users.
To improve energy efficiency and manage greenhouse gas emissions, the facility will make use of sustainable technologies such as solar thermal, sanitary heat recovery, an air source heat pump and high-efficiency gas boilers.
The current Capital Plan includes $8 million for the project, and the City has also sought provincial and federal infrastructure funding. Completing the project in a single phase is estimated to cost $18 million.
The renewal of Spani Pool is a key project in the City’s upcoming Major Recreation and Cultural Facilities Roadmap (MRCFR), a high-level document that will provide transparency for taxpayers by outlining the anticipated scheduling and costs to build, staff and operate City facilities. The draft MRCFR is expected to be presented to Council this summer.
Stay Informed
For updates on this project, visit www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/spani and subscribe to the email list.
Coquitlam residents and businesses are also encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information. Links are available at www.coquitlam.ca/connect.
Media contact:
Ted Uhrich
Project Manager Strategic & Capital Projects
City of Coquitlam
604-927-6710
tuhrich@coquitlam.ca