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Recreation Facility

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HomeInside City HallRecreation Facility

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Recreation Facility

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Project Summary:
Location: 255 West St. S.
Square Footage: 137,362
Budget: $55.5 million
Open: October 2020

Phased Opening - October 2020

The long-awaited opening of the Orillia Recreation Centre is here, but in light of COVID-19, the opening will be carried out in a staged approach.  On October 26, 2020, the Orillia Recreation Centre, located at 255 West St. S., opened to the public for fitness centre time slots, pre-registered drop-in aquatics, fitness and sports programming, registered programming and user groups. 

Finishing Touches - September 2020

Get an inside look at our beautiful Orillia Recreation Centre as we near completion in our latest behind-the scenes video with Megan Visser, Recreation Program Supervisor, for the City of Orillia.

Social Heart Tour - February 2020

Get an inside look at the unique features of the main floor common space at the Orillia Recreation Centre in our latest behind-the scenes video with Megan Visser, Recreation Program Supervisor, for the City of Orillia.

Video Boards Tour - December 2019

Get an inside look at the state-of-the-art video boards and the unique signage at the Orillia Recreation Centre in our latest behind-the scenes video with Megan Visser, Recreation Program Supervisor in the Orillia Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.

Foundry Park Tour - November 2019

Check out our latest behind-the scenes video of the Orillia Recreation Centre. In the second video of the series, Megan Visser, Recreation Program Supervisor in the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department takes us for a tour of Foundry Park.

Aquatic Centre Tour - October 2019

Take an inside look at the Orillia Recreation Centre through our new video series. Starting with the Aquatic Centre, host Megan Visser, Program Supervisor for Parks, Recreation and Culture, takes you on site for the City’s most anticipated construction project to learn more about the features of the facility and the construction process.  

 Fall 2019 Progress Report

 

 Project Status Update

December 2019 Update

Here is an update of the work in progress at the Orillia Recreation Centre:

 

Building Work:

• Lap pool is 95% tiled and the leisure and therapy pools are 85% tiled.
• Top layer of concrete is poured around the entire pool deck area in
preparation for the final grade before tiling.
• Wall and floor tiling in the lower gymnasium and fitness area change rooms
is complete. Floor and wall tiling has begun in the pool change rooms and
main floor washroom areas.
• Some counter tops, faucets and hand dryers have been installed in both the
main and lower level change rooms.
• The application of the final caulking to seal all the exterior windows has
commenced and continues.
• Drywall installation is 97% complete with taping and mudding continuing.
• The installation of the exterior wood soffit is 90% complete with just the NE
entrance area to complete.
• Pool timing clock has been installed with final wiring to occur.
• Interior painting continues throughout various parts of the building.
• The ceiling areas above the fitness centre, gym and running track have
been painted. Gym walls painting is 70% complete.
• Gym ceiling lights installation is complete.
• Lighting installation above the running track is 85% complete.
• Installation of the gym movable partition is complete.
• Phenolic panel installation around the track area above the fitness center is
97% complete and panel installation around the gym has commenced.
• Wood ceiling installation above the Central stairwell and adjacent west wall
is complete.
• Mechanical work continues in the lower level pool mechanical room.
• South side gym glass at the main and upper floor levels is 95% complete.
• West side upper pool viewing area floor sealing is complete.
• Basketball backboard booms have been installed.

• Lap pool moveable floor installation has begun with all structural steel and

motors installed and the floor panel construction has commenced.
• The “Orillia Recreation Centre” sign installation is complete along with the
focus lighting.
• Shock absorbing strips have been installed under the gym plywood floor in
preparation for installation.


Site Work:
• The electronic sign at the West street entrance is installed and the sign is
now operational.
• Grading continues on the south side of the building.
• Grading and prep work continues for the NW retaining wall.
• Sub drain preparation plans are being completed for the NE entrance.

 

Contract Change Orders
• 252 Change Orders have been approved to date.
• The changes include both credits for removal of work and additions for work
not specified in the tender documentation.
• The current value of all changes to date is $2,849,735.91 of the $3,485,000
total available for contingency.

 

Project Schedule
The following milestones are being tracked for completion within the next few
weeks:
• Pool tiling and movable floor installation.
• Pool deck tiling will have commenced.
• Telephone and data cable installation will be complete.
• Exterior wood soffit installation will be complete at NE entrance.
• All lighting and electrical circuitry will be complete.
• All drywall and painting of interior walls will be complete.
• The gymnasium plywood and wood floor installation will have commenced.
• Final landscaping and site seeding will be completed in 2020.
• Final asphalt for parking lot will be completed in 2020.
• Running track surface membrane and fitness centre surface installation will
have commenced.
• Overhead running track lighting installation will be complete.
• Removal of window clips and weather proofing/caulking of all windows will
be complete.
• Pavers will have been installed at Main (east entrance).
• SW main stairs installation will be complete.
• All interior and exterior doors will have been installed.
• Ceiling tiles installation in various areas will have commenced.

• Railing installation at the west gym viewing area will have commenced.

• Steam Room will be complete.
• Phenolic panel installation on the south side running track area will have
commenced.
• Basketball nets will have been installed.

 

For more information, please contact Ray Merkley at rmerkley@orillia.ca.

 

Project Overview

The 2014-2018 Council has been active in addressing the recreation file since their inauguration in December 2014. 

  • The new recreation facility will provide a blend of leisure, sport, fitness and recreational amenities for individuals and families, as well as competitive sport venues for groups and organizations.

 

  • Facility Amenities:
    • 25 m, 8-lane lap pool with viewing area
    • Therapeutic pool
    • Leisure pool with play features
    • Gymnasium with 2 FIBA sized basketball courts and a viewing area
    • Childcare room
    • Multi-purpose room
    • Fitness centre including studio fitness rooms
    • Walking/jogging track 

 

 

 Council Information Packages

Council Information Package from August 30, 2019.

Council Information Package from July 25, 2019.

Council Information Package from September 27, 2019.

Council Information Package from October 25, 2019.

Council Information Package from November 29, 2019.

Council Information Package from December 20, 2019.

Council Information Package from January 31, 2020. 

Council Information Package from February 28, 2020.

Council Information Package from March 27, 2020.

Council Information Package from May 8, 2020. 

Council Information Package from June 5, 2020.

 Site Preparation - September 2016
The Atlas Corporation began mobilizing on site the first week of September and completed initial site preparation, which included: site surveys and site layout, service locates, wash station installation, temporary water service to wash station, vegetation clearing, clear and grade at building pad, prepare a working platform for the rammed aggregate piers installation and cap and build a granular road around the building pad.

Drilling of the rammed aggregate piers, the foundation system selected for the building, is 

currently underway, and should be completed by the end of December. Importing of clay material that will be used to cap the brownfield site and the import of the soils from employment lands in West Orillia has commenced. It is anticipated that forming of the foundations will start early in the New Year and storm and sanitary system and permanent water service will be underway in spring 2017.

Read the newest Progress Report on this exciting project.

 Tender Awarded - August 2016

Council awarded the construction of the Orillia Recreation Facility at 255 West St. S. to The Atlas Corporation for $48,450,000 at its meeting on Aug. 17, 2016, and work is anticipated to begin on the site within a few weeks.

The Orillia Recreation Facility project includes an aquatic centre (lap pool, leisure pool, and therapy pool), gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, a walking/jogging track, preschool room, office space and a fitness centre.

At the Sept. 12, 2016, Council Committee meeting, Council will review alternate pricing options for six items including the deletion of trail lighting, a pedestrian bridge over Ben's Ditch, aquatic climbing wall, and some water features (leaving the plumbing), as well as changing from a moveable floor to a regular pool basin and changing from a hard gym wall to a curtain wall. This discussion will allow Council to examine potential cost saving options for the project.

Construction of the facility will take approximately two years, with an anticipated summer 2018 opening. 
Please click here to view the NEWS RELEASE >>

The tender for the Orillia Recreation Centre closed on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 3:00:00 p.m. 
Please click here to view TENDER RESULTS >>

 

 Construction and Tendering Documentation Phase

During this phase of the project, the detailed construction drawings and tender documents will be prepared. Overall design changes will be minor in nature and the consultant team will be producing very detailed specifications for every item of the project. This information will form the basis of the tender bid package. The architects will be proceeding with site plan approvals, building permit reviews and the prequalification of contractors. It is anticipated that a construction tender will be awarded in late July and construction will begin in August 2016. 

 

RELEASE - Orillia on track for awarding recreation project tender this summer

 Detailed Design

The Detailed Design Phase of the project is now complete. The City will proceed with the Construction and Tendering Documentation Phase of the project. For more information on the completion of the Detailed Design Phase, read the Recreation Facility Project Team's report to Council Committee and the City's news release. 

Detailed Design Photos

 

 

 Street View 2EntranceStreet ViewStairwell / LoungeHallway

Fitness CentreOutdoor Fitness AreaGymnasiumPool

Building on the Schematic Design, the Detailed Design Phase of the project focused on specific aspects of the design of the facility, such as leisure pool layout, wet and dry changeroom configuration, AV and IT requirements etc. This phase also included a Class "B" costing. A number of studies/plans were completed during this phase including a Health and Safety Plan for work being done on-site, Soil Management/Soil Monitoring and the Environmental Impact Study.

View the presentation to Council from February 1, 2016 >>

 Employment Opportunities

Looking to join our team? Please view the City's Employment webpage for current job postings. To learn more about how to become a lifeguard and the training required, visit our Lifeguard Recruitment webpage.

Environmental Information

On this page, you will find environmental reports and associated documents related to the Certificate of Property Use (CPU) for 255 West Street South. Annual on-site and off-site monitoring reports are included from the most recent report back to 2011.  Also included are information boards used at a Public Open House in May 2015 to discuss the environmental condition of the site.

 

Certificate of Property Use and Record of Site Condition
Consolidated Certificate of Property Use
Consolidated Certificate of Property Use Amendments
Record of Site Condition for Non-Sensitive Area of Property
Record of Site Condition for Sensitive Area of Property 

 

Annual Monitoring Reports
2020 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2020 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2019 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2019 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2018 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2018 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2017 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2017 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2016 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2016 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2015 Off-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2015 On-Site Annual Monitoring Report
2014 Off-site Annual Monitoring Report
2014 On-site Annual Monitoring Report
2013 Off-site Annual Monitoring Report
2013 On-site Annual Monitoring Report
2012 Off-site Annual Monitoring Report
2012 On-site Annual Monitoring Report
2011 Off-site Annual Monitoring Report
May 2015 Public Open House information boards
Environmental Information
Brownfield Information 
Recreation Facility Design Information

We attempt to make our website documents accessible however, some of these documents may not completely meet the AODA accessibility requirements. If you require assistance or communication support, please contact 705-325-2444.

 

VIDEO: Orillia's Recreation Facility Project - July 2018 Update

 

VIDEO: Orillia's Recreation Facility Project - October 2017 Update

 

VIDEO: Orillia's Recreation Facility Project - Breaking Ground

 

VIDEO: Orillia's Recreation Facility Project - The Vision

 

Meet the City's Newest Junior Lifeguard

Meet Daeden, the City's newest Junior Lifeguard. Daeden is very excited for the Recreation Facility. Watch the video below to learn more about the the features of the aquatics centre. 

 

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