Thursday February 13, 2020 ~ SOOKE
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
The long-awaited expansion of the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke is complete! The fitness and weight room space opened at 6 am on Friday February 7. An official opening will be held in March.
The new 5,150 sq ft additional footprint to the SEAPARC building is comprised of the new 3,600 sq ft fitness gym and a 1,500 sq ft multi-purpose room. The two areas can be combined for various uses. There is also now a 383 sq ft child minding room.
The expansion by about 5,150 sq ft has increased the 51,020 sq ft footprint of the complex by 10%.
The bright open-space fitness area with high-impact durable Mondo Ramflex interlocking flooring includes lots of workout equipment such as exercise bikes and treadmills for cardio, as well as bench press and weights for muscle strengthening. And there’s free wi-fi!
A wall of mirrors facilitates use of the room for dance or fitness. A bank of lockers and water fountain top off the many interior improvements. Overhead LED lighting complements the big-window natural light. There is a handy storage area for sports equipment. And there’s a sound system.
The parking lot was adjusted during the 10-month construction period (April 2019 through January 2020), now including five handicapped spots near the front door, with more parking spots likely to come at the far end of the building after some drainage and lighting improvements. Two electric charging stations in the main parking lot will be moved a little closer to the front door. Bicycle racks are already in place at the front of the building, under a covered area to protect bicycles from the rain. The #61 bus now arrives right up to the front of the SEAPARC building.
It’s been an exciting project that moved along, phase by phase. Outdoors a few finishes touches will still be done to the front patio area where there will be a landscaped seating area.
Constructed with pre-fabricated mass timber components, the wood structure (with steel supports) came together relatively quickly. The open space is supported by an HVAC system for heating and cooling, designed and set up for a fitness space where a lot of body heat is generated.
For a few years the SEAPARC Commission saved up funds from the annual levy (paid by taxpayers in Sooke and Juan de Fuca) to help fund this renovation and building improvement, without having to increase the levy. There was also a $1.4 million grant from the Strategic Priorities Federal Gas Tax Fund (through the Union of BC Municipalities) to help the total project cost of $3.4 million.
Locals have eagerly awaited the project which began construction last year. The building entry access was moved several times over the last 10 months, for SEAPARC patrons to find their way into the building during various phases of construction. During all phases of construction there was a tone of “we’re glad for the renovation, but we’ll be glad when it’s over!”
Overall, the goal was to be helping more people in the community be active by offering another fitness space in Sooke. SEAPARC has been actively recruiting fitness instructors and weight room attendants.
“A lot of people have been waiting to get in,” says SEAPARC manager Steve Knoke. “The community is growing, and this is another space for physical activity and fitness training,” he says.
The fitness room area is open during SEAPARC’s regular hours of operation: Mon to Fri 6 am to 9 pm, Saturdays 8 to 8, and Sundays 9 to 8 (winter) and 9 to 6 (summer).
The weight room is supervised on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 11 pm, as well as on Thursday evenings (5 to 8 pm).
For general questions, and questions about the new fitness centre, the SEAPARC main reception number is 250-642-8000. The Fitness Coordinator is Jerry Michael.
SEAPARC offers drop-in fitness classes and also personal training sessions. Patrons age 16+ are welcome at all times; teens age 13 to 15 years will require a weight room orientation.
Everyone using the fitness center and weight room is required to wear clean, appropriate athletic clothing. Shoes must have closed toes.
The new fitness area can be used as part of regular admission rates. The regular adult rate is $6.50, with student (19+ with ID) at $4.75, and youth (age 13 to 18) at $3.50 per visit. Extra fee for shower and towel rental. 10-visit punch cards and membership passes also available.
The building at 2168 Phillips Road currently presently includes an ice arena (built 1976) and two pools (pool financing now paid). Prior to the upgrade, there was one multi-purpose room, and a meeting room (built 2000).
The CRD-owned SEAPARC offering also includes a bike park, skate park, baseball diamond and par-3 golf course.
A ribbon-cutting event to officially open the expanded SEAPARC Leisure Complex will be held in March 2020 (date tba).
==== NOTES:
- The new SEAPARC Leisure Complex facility expansion including multipurpose space was constructed from May 2019 through January 2020, paid using a funding reserve from the annual taxpayer levy in the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area plus a facilities grant from the Union of BC Municipalities.
- SEAPARC Leisure Complex is owned and operated by the Capital Regional District (CRD).
- This article was first published on page 3 in the February 7 to 10, 2020 print-PDF weekend digest of West Shore Voice News.