District of Squamish is applying for a federal grant to fund a 22,000 sq. ft. wellness centre at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program funds 73.33% of eligible projects.
The new Wellness and Arts Centre will be located at the south end of the existing Brennan Park Recreation Centre and will cost $13,200,000.
The new Wellness and Arts Centre will consist of three floors that will provide ‘welcoming and barrier-free space’, with easy, convenient and accessible programming.
It will include a fitness centre with focus on rehabilitation, neuro programs and programs for overall wellness, ranging from fitness to nutrition and meditation.
There will be a general fitness area with indoor running and walking track and exercise equipment.
There will be space for programs for youth and senior groups, and approximately 6,300 sq. ft. of dedicated space for visual arts, dance, pottery and music rooms.
Washrooms and change rooms with touchless technology will be provided, along with covered outdoor space for additional programming.
There will also be a provision for an outdoor covered area, which will be a freestanding tensioned waterproof fabric structure that can be attached to both existing structures and posts.
The third floor of the wellness centre will be leased to include private or public services relevant to health and recreation that could provide a source of revenue for the district.
The importance of focusing on health and fitness is significant given the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district says.
The Wellness & Arts Centre component of the Brennan Park Upgrade and Expansion Plan is also aligned with the values identified by the community.
Donald Patrick says
Go figure…. the tax payer without consultation are being advised that the DOS is going into the Wellness theatre when the town already has an able supply of that class of private business operations … keep to the type of services that are are money losers and will not be built by the private investors like ice arena’s and water parks a….. of course after public consultation ….. wellness ??
stefanie donna says
People will benefit from increased space, affordable (I hope) access to work out equipment, and a walk/run track sounds great. I agree the private sector has provided many workout options – but I think we will see this space well utilized.
Bonny Cameron says
They’re was a lot of public input into this, including a community wide survey. Happened about two years ago.
Ihor Zalubniak says
Curious as to why, with the wonderful services available in Squamish, that DOS would want to compete with those.
Stefanie Donna says
I am pleased to see this happening and happy for my tax dollars to go towards this. Our community will benefit from the fitness facility, more programming rooms for the increasing population and an outdoor covered area for programs in the less than sunny months. My hope is for admission to be cheaper than other fitness centres in town to increase accessible fitness opportunities. Our town has amazing services in this area, no doubt, but affordability is an issue.
Ted prior says
Looks great , lots of funding . Well needed . Good job Staff and council.
Lisa Manzini says
Hmm, we are a growing town, yes the concept is great, but a bigger pool and a second ice rink has been a long time promise and a need in our town.
Lisa Seatle says
Second rink is long overdue.
Donn Oberg says
Kids want to skate and swim. They run outside. They bike outside. We have the fastest growing hockey association in Canada and have to turn kids away because we don’t have enough ice. This is very sad!!!
Jacqueline Smith says
Affordability is the key, squamish has lots of fitness centres but not very affordable, another ice rink is a definite must, maybe a wave pool or water park too.
Nicole Knight says
No ice or pool consideration. Extremely disappointed.
Renee Kranz says
Looks amazing, but Squamish really needs more ice and a an updated pool.
Mary says
Ice and Pool are part of another plan of the new Brennan Park project. This article is only about the wellness centre part of the new building
Kathy Jarvis says
This is disappointing as there is a real need in our community for another ice rink and bigger updated pool but these issues have not been addressed in this proposal even after public consultation.