Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre

Aquatic and recreation centres play a crucial role in communities by providing opportunities for fun and physical activity for all ages. When the Park Valley Pool, built in 1983 to serve the Drayton Valley and Brazeau communities, reached the end of its lifespan, it was time for an upgrade.

The new Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre features an array of amenities including an 8-lane, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool, lazy river, hot tub, steam room, water slide, and more. Additionally, the new facility can host regional and national competitions with a spacious viewing area.

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Client

Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County

Project Value

$22.4 Million

Project Status

Complete

Total Facility Square Footage

+24,000

Solar Panels Installed

634

Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets Annually

147 tonnes

Why Choose Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)?

Implemented through an IPD framework in collaboration with the Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County, the Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre demonstrates exceptional project management and teamwork. Encompassing the validation, design, and construction of the project. The team approached the project from multiple angles, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficiency of the IPD process ensured the aquatic centre was completed on schedule. Overall, IPD provided a structured yet flexible framework that lead to this project's positive outcome. This included conducting meetings with stakeholders and facility operational staff to address concerns with maintenance and operations, as well as lessons learnt exercises from the Park Valley Pool. Comparative analyses of operational costs between the existing and new facilities demonstrated improved performance in the new centre.

A Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aquatic Facility

The Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre implemented a 304.32 kW solar PV system, meeting sustainability targets for receiving grants through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Alberta Municipal Solar Program. The team prioritized the roof structure and main mechanical and electrical rooms, enabling the installation of 634 solar modules. The solar power generated was used during construction and sold back to the grid, creating positive cash flow that could be used for additional facility features. The PV system, expected to last over 30 years, offsets 147 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to removing 29 combustion-powered vehicles from the road. Additionally, the pool's turn-down system reduces water and electricity usage, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the facility and lowering operational costs.

The Ricochet Oil Corp. Aquatic Centre stands as a valuable asset to the community, promoting health, wellness, and community cohesion, while its sustainable design contributes positively to the environment and the facilities overall operations and maintenance.