Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex expansion begins January 2020
Waterloo city councillors have approved the release of remaining funds for the much-anticipated Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) expansion that includes a new 16,000 square foot civic front, and another 28,000 square feet for the new Community Pavilion.
The total project value is about $30 million, and yesterday’s release of funds now allows the request for tender to be awarded and for construction work to begin on the Community Pavilion, and the expansion of WMRC.
The estimated timeline for construction is as follows:
Project phase | Milestone | Completion date |
Procurement of construction services |
Issue request for tender (RFT)
|
October 2019 |
Official award of RFT for construction Preparation for construction begins
|
December 2019 | |
Construction | Construction starts | January 2020 |
Occupancy of civic front | February 2021 (anticipated) | |
Occupancy of Community Pavilion | June, 2021 (anticipated) | |
Total completion of construction | Summer/Fall 2022 (anticipated) |
Construction includes two main components:
1. Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex expansion
- A new civic front on the east side of the building that will include an activity court/gymnasium, additional lobby space, change rooms, inclusive washrooms, office space, a café, and an outdoor patio
- A renovated Hauser Haus to allow for additional fitness programming in two exercise studios and a secondary indoor walking concourse
2. Community Pavilion
- A new two-storey building on the west-side of the property as the new home for the city’s older adult recreation program currently offered at the Adult Recreation Centre (ARC) and Wing 404 RCAFA Rotary Adult Centre
- The building will connect to the WMRC facility with an elevated pedestrian bridge
Existing programs and customers using the ARC and Wing 404 will continue to use these spaces until the WMRC expansion and the Community Pavilion are complete and operational.
As construction progresses, we encourage the community to follow along. We will post updates on our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and through a variety of other communication channels such as e-newsletters, for example.
Project background:
May 2015: Council approved the older adult recreation strategy, which outlines a plan for improving older adult recreation services over a five year period. The strategy recommends the city explore opportunities to replace the existing older adult recreation facilities. It suggests a new facility be located in uptown Waterloo, and that it be built on the WMRC site to allow access to WMRC facilities, such as the pool, and to Waterloo Park.
January 2017: City of Waterloo staff, along with consultant firms Perkins & Will and Sierra Planning and Management, engaged the community in a needs assessment to determine the types of programs and spaces required in an expanded facility.
May 2017: Council approved a needs assessment report based on input from over 500 residents, trends, and demographic data, and best practice research.
December 2017: Council approved initiating the detailed design, site plan approval and construction drawings for the expansion and the new pavilion.
This project supports the vision of the recreation and leisure services master plan approved by council in November 2008, which recognizes a demand for new facility space as the city’s population continues to grow and new trends in recreation activities emerge.
Media contact:
Shelly Reed
Communications consultant
P: 519-747-8515
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
shelly.reed@waterloo.ca