Recreation Facility

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 

Nov 2018 Status Update

Work continues as the view from West Street South shows that the building is starting to take its final shape. In addition, the main parking lot and both entrances to the site are paved.

The following list highlights some of the main work currently underway and/or complete:

• Plumbing and heating installations continue on all levels.
• Roofing continues and is approximately 70% complete.
• All utilities including natural gas are installed and connected.
• The building envelope continues to close in with sheathing and exterior brick veneer.

• Interior stud wall construction and drywall installation continues.
• The installation of the skylight above the pool area continues.
• The panel ceiling is being installed above the pool area.

Future Key Milestones

• A pool basin leak test (test 1 of 3) will take place.
• All exterior walls and roof will be made watertight.
• Wood ceiling over the pool area including all Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning ductwork will be complete.
• The building is currently being enclosed and inside work continues.
• The exterior brick veneer will be completed.
• The skylights above the pool will be installed.

July 2018 Status Update

The majority of the structural steel that defines the building is complete and the landscaping around the site is approaching finished elevations. These milestones allow the community to see first-hand the facility taking its final shape.

The following list highlights some of the main work currently underway and/or complete:

• Roofing over the pool area continues.
• Installation of masonry walls and exterior sheeting on the east, south and west walls continue.
• All of the base concrete, which forms the lap pool, therapeutic pool and leisure pool is complete.
• Electrical and mechanical work is being completed above the large open pool areas.
• Most of the waterproofing of the building foundation is complete and backfilled.
• Much of the interior framing and masonry work is well underway.
• Mechanical equipment and electrical conduit and wiring is being installed throughout the building.
• The main parking lot is receiving final grade and the curbs and lamp posts bases are being laid out ready for concrete. 
• Connection to sanitary sewer is complete.
• Final Cupolex installations in the gymnasium and fitness area for the gas venting system continues
• Helical piles for the bridge are installed and bridge abutments are formed.

May 2018 Status Update

A site tour took place on May 9, 2018 to provide the Mayor and Members of Council along with members of the media a first-hand look at the construction activity progress.

Currently, installation of the structural steel continues for the building in the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium, fitness centre and over the pool. Concrete flooring has been poured in the pool tunnel, which will be followed by the mechanical and electrical rooms. Waterproofing of the building has begun and will be followed by backfilling. Framing and masonry work of the building has begun. Mechanical and electrical piping is being installed and plumbing is being installed in the mechanical and electrical rooms. The storm sewer installation is complete and construction of the parking lots has commenced.

View the latestest news release for an update on the status of the project.

View the latest update provided to Council via Council Information Package Memo on April 27, 2018. 

View the latest photos from the site below:

As this is a complex build and a very large project, once the project has reached specific milestones (completion of the steel erection, building enclosure and pool tiling), the City will be able to better define an anticipated opening date. The Recreation Project Team continues to work with the contractor to expedite the construction of the building.

Future Key Milestones

• Structural steel completion
• Completion of pool ceiling
• Building enclosure
• Pool tiling completion
• Interior common area tiling
• Interior mechanical and electrical installations

March 2018

Installation of the structural steel continues in Phase 2.2 and Phase 3 areas of the building, which is in the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium, fitness centre and over the pool. 

The concrete slab will be poured in the pool tunnel followed by the mechanical and electrical rooms in the next week. This work will include the installation of cuplex, in these areas. Waterproofing of the building has started, which will be followed by backfilling. Framing and sheathing of the building has commenced. Mechanical and electrical piping and hangers are being installed in the pool tunnel area.  Plumbing is being installed in the mechanical and electrical rooms. Frost will be removed from the ground to prepare for the underground plumbing installation in the next two weeks.

The storm sewer installation is now complete on site and the import of top soil has commenced from West Orillia. Construction of the parking lots will commence as soon as the frost is out of the ground.

View the latest update to Council via Council Information Package Memo on March 29, 2018.

Winter 2018

Structural steel work continues. As of mid-February, large trusses were installed over the pool area as shown in the photos below.

The structural steel work for the facility is divided into four phases with Phase 1 in the pool change room area now complete.  Phase 2, which is the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium change rooms and fitness centre is on site and erection is currently underway. Portions of Phase 3 (pool)  is currently in progress as well. Phase 4 (gymnasium) is anticipated to be erect in the spring.

The following milestones have been completed to date:

• Footings and foundation walls.
• Pouring of the pool basins and walls for all three pool tanks.
• Completion of mechanical and electrical rough-ins.
• Connection of sanitary sewer and watermain to the building.
• Remediation of the contaminated soil area.
• Mechanical equipment for the penthouse delivered and set in place.

As this is a complex build and a very large project, once the project has reached specific milestones (completion of the steel erection, building enclosure and pool tiling), the City will be able to better define an anticipated opening date. The Recreation Project Team continues to work with the contractor to expedite the construction of the building.

Future Key Milestones

• Structural steel completion
• Completion of pool ceiling
• Building enclosure
• Pool tiling completion
• Interior common area tiling
• Interior mechanical and electrical installations

December 2017

The structural steel work for the facility is divided into four phases with Phase 1 in the pool change room area now complete.  Phase 2, which is the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium change rooms and fitness centre is on site and erection is currently underway. It is expected that the steel for Phase 3 and 4 will be on site before the end of December.

Work is well underway for the eight-lane, 25-metre pool. The pool floor has been poured, waterproofing of the walls is complete and the pool deck has been poured.

Staff are currently reviewing final details for the pool mechanical systems, including using Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV provides a secondary disinfection measure for the pool in addition to chlorine and assists in eliminating the chlorine smell common in pools. Having a UV system eliminates chloramines, which can reduce the lifespan of the pool's mechanical system. 
In addition, using a UV system allows for lower amounts of chlorine to be used in the pool which improves water clarity and user comfort.

Mechanical, electrical and steel work will continue on site. It is anticipated that enclosure of the building will take place in early 2018. Following enclosure, construction in the building will take place is a phased manner on interior finishes, walls, flooring, elevator, stairs, plumbing rough-ins, mechanical and electrical rough-ins.
Phase 1 - Pool change rooms 
Phase 2 - Fitness centre, gymnasium change rooms and multi-purpose rooms 
Phase 3 - Pool Phase 4 - Gymnasium
Site work and landscaping including trail work will take place throughout the spring of 2018.

Construction continues on the building. Currently, the foundation perimeter walls are complete and waterproofing has been completed. Phase 1 of the structural steel installation is nearing completion in the pool and changeroom area. Phase 2, which is the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium changes rooms and fitness centre will begin shortly. 

The pool deck for the 8-lane, 25-metre pool has been poured and the mechanical and electrical underground rough-ins for the building continues.

The importing of soil from West Orillia continues to be transported to the site. Currently over 6,500 loads have arrived with just under 1,000 left to be brought in. This is expected to be complete by mid-November.  Site servicing has commenced with the installation of sewer and watermain piping. 

October 2017

Construction continues on the building. Currently, the foundation perimeter walls are complete and waterproofing has been completed. Phase 1 of the structural steel installation is nearing completion in the pool and changeroom area. Phase 2, which is the multi-purpose rooms, gymnasium changes rooms and fitness centre will begin shortly. 

The pool deck for the 8-lane, 25-metre pool has been poured and the mechanical and electrical underground rough-ins for the building continues.

The importing of soil from West Orillia continues to be transported to the site. Currently over 6,500 loads have arrived with just under 1,000 left to be brought in. This is expected to be complete by mid-November.  Site servicing has commenced with the installation of sewer and watermain piping. 

September 2017

As we celebrate one year since the groundbreaking ceremony in 2016, construction at the Recreation Facility site is progressing well.

Concrete forming continues with walls being formed in the pool area and the fitness area. The main pool floor has been poured and waterproofing of the walls is complete in these areas. Crews have installed sewer and watermain piping and electrical work has begun to service the site.

Looking forward to the next few months, the structural steel work will begin, the north parking area will be graded and site services will be completed. The project team anticipates the building will be fully enclosed early in the new year.

See pictures below from a recent site visit on September 15, 2017

June 2017

Currently, the building foundations and pads are nearing completion. Acapulco Pools, the pool sub-contractor completing the aquatic installation, is on site and has started construction of the pool basin floor. Preparation for the sanitary sewer and water main is taking place and underground electrical work is also underway. Looking forward to the next few months, the structural steel work will begin, the north parking area will be graded and site services will be completed. The project team anticipates the building will be fully enclosed by January 2018.

See pictures below from a site tour on June 28, 2017

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.

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

 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

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? The City of Orillia's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department has released the job descriptions, wages and qualifications required for employment at the future Orillia Recreation Facility on our Orillia Recreation Facility Employment Opportunities webapge. Click each position title for a detailed job description. Please note that these jobs are not available to apply for yet, but when they are, you can apply through the City's Employment webpage. To learn more about how to become a lifeguard and the training required, visit our Lifeguard Recruitment webpage.