PHASE 2 TAKING SHAPE
Work continues inside Phase 2 of the ATB Centre, which includes a swimming pool and fieldhouse, on Tuesday. Lethbridge City Council heard earlier this week that construction is on schedule.
ATB Centre Phase 2 is on schedule for a March 2019 opening.
City council received an update on the facility during their regular meeting on Monday.
“Everything is right on time as far as construction is concerned, and operational planning is coming along, also,” said project coordinator Ashley Matthews. “We are very excited. By next year at this time, we should be very close to opening.”
The plan is to have major construction finished this year, at which point, the City will move in and begin the process of getting ready for opening. According to construction schedule, that transfer could occur in December.
“The major process will be training staff,” said Matthews. “We know it’s a huge building and opening day will be very busy, so they will have to be ready.”
Construction of the facility began in May 2016. Matthews said once the building was closed in, it allowed crews to work regardless of the weather. This was accomplished in the fall, and a lot of internal work has taken place since.
“You can see it on a blueprint, that’s one thing,” he said. “But when you see the physical structure inside taking shape, it’s pretty exciting.”
When completed, the $110million Phase 2 will include close to 256,000 square feet with waterslides, lazy river, whirlpools wave pool, a multi-sport field house, fitness centre, indoor track, gymnasium, child minding area, indoor playground, locker rooms, commercial lease spaces, facility support and amenities. It will be home to the Cor Van Raay YMCA.
“It’s going to be something that the community has missed for many years,” Matthews said. “I think we’re the last of the larger communities not to have this kind of facility, so it is something that will be cherished by this community for many years.”
Additionally, there is an expectation that the facility will draw people from between 40- and 60-mile range outside the community.
“It will become a destination location for some,” he said. “For others, they will come in to do their shopping and at the same time take children to that facility and be able to participate.”
The facility will feature extensive use of View Dynamic glass, an intelligent dimmable glass which allows for greater shading and energy efficiency.
“It is quite amazing as far as that technology,” Matthews said. “That will be one of the ‘wow’ factors when people come into the building.”
The fully completed ATB Centre will be a large complex boasting opportunities for many different activities.
While fees have not been established for the Phase 2 facility, Matthews said similar facilities charge in the $10 to $12 range per day for adults, and then $5 per day for children.
Follow @JWSchnarrHerald on Twitter