In This Week’s Editor’s Note:
- Ucluelet: $2 million outdoor sports facility
- Tofino: seeking design and pre-construction consulting services for a new civic facility
- Powell River: repurposing the Old Arena Site into a mixed-use development
Ucluelet: $2 million outdoor sports facility
Ucluelet Council has authorized detailed design and costing work for Phase 1 of a proposed multi-purpose sports facility and a 1 acre fenced dog park at the Tugwell Fields – Frank Jones Memorial Park on Pacific Crescent. Staff have been directed to consult with user groups and the Accessibility Committee, and to submit an application to the Canada Build Communities Strong Fund. The proposed facility would introduce a hard-surface covered recreation space designed to accommodate a range of activities, such as pickleball, tennis, basketball, ball hockey, roller skating, and dog training, and serve as an emergency shelter for up to 90 people. Phase 1 costs are estimated at $2 million, including the parking lot, dog off leash park, and uncovered courts. Phase 2 would cover the courts, with an estimated cost of $4 to $5 million. Staff are reviewing a range of cost-efficient structures, with a preference toward a fabric covered aluminum framed building. Design is expected to be completed by the end of summer. Since funding is already in place for Phase 1, and Phase 2 is dependent on future funding, staff have recommended tendering the construction services of Phase 1 in the fall of 2026.
Tofino: seeking design and pre-construction consulting services for a new civic facility.
The District of Tofino is seeking proposals from qualified architectural firms to provide design and pre-construction consulting services for a new multi-level civic facility at the Tofino Community Hall site on Arnet Road. The project includes a new public library, District office space, and an integrated outdoor community gathering area. The successful proponent will act as the Prime Design Consultant and lead all architectural and engineering disciplines through feasibility, schematic design, design development, and building permit-ready drawings. The District is targeting a maximum total construction budget of $5 million, with architectural and pre-construction fees capped at $125,000. Prefabricated or modular construction approaches are encouraged to help reduce site labour and improve cost certainty. The proposed facility is intended to include District offices on the ground floor, a public library on the upper floor, and a connected atrium, plaza, or covered gathering space integrated with the existing Community Hall. The consultant will work collaboratively with the District, Vancouver Island Regional Library, and a Construction Manager under a CCDC 5B delivery model to support constructability, budgeting, and transition toward a fixed-price construction contract. There is an optional site tour on June 3 at 2pm, beginning at 351 Arnet Rd. The tender closes June 25.
Powell River: repurposing the Old Arena Site into a mixed-use development
Council has received the City of Powell River Downtown Plan and directed staff to prepare amendments to the Sustainable Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. The Downtown Plan is a long-term vision for revitalizing downtown Powell River through redevelopment, housing, transportation, upgrades, and stronger waterfront connections. A major focus of the plan is the future redevelopment potential of several city-owned sites. A feasibility study by Parcel Economics evaluated four properties: Old Arena Site, Decommissioned Westview Wastewater Treatment Plant, 4351 Marine Avenue, and Old Barge Terminal. Of the four sites, the report deems Old Arena Site and the former wastewater treatment plant to have strong redevelopment potential. The Old Arena Site is envisioned as a mixed-use development area with: Housing (townhouses, apartments, condos), Commercial spaces, Community and civic amenities, and Park space. The report notes that although the land is currently restricted for park purposes through a covenant, Council can legally modify or discharge that covenant. Community feedback supports redeveloping the former Wastewater Treatment Plant to include: Housing, Commercial uses, Community amenities, Public market ideas, Fishing pier and Sea Walk connections and Waterfront restoration and parking. The feasibility study also recommended exploring adaptive reuse of existing buildings on the site. Further public engagement and consideration of the proposed bylaws will occur after the general local election October 17, 2026.
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