Starting June 3, work will begin to pave, add lights and improve overall traffic flow in the parking lot at the Steinbach Aquatic Centre. Expected to take about six weeks, the project will create 100 paved parking stalls, including a designated staff parking area.
“This project has been on the books for some time, it’s nice to see it go ahead,” says Phil Kalyta, City Engineer. “The facility generates significant traffic and the new parking lot design improves overall safety and flow.”
In addition to paving, overhead lights will be installed and a general drop off, pick-up area will be completed to improve safety. Another entrance will be created off of Park Road, allowing traffic to enter at one entrance and exit from the other, improving traffic flow. Provisions for a future facility sign are also part of the improvements.
For the duration of the project, Aquatic Centre patrons are asked to park at A.D. Penner Park, located just west of the Aquatic Centre, and use the paved walkway and foot bridge to access the facility. Signs will be put up along Park Road to direct visitors to the designated temporary parking area. Visitors are asked to refrain from parking at the Village Green Restaurant.
The Handicap parking stalls, located on the east side of the Aquatic Centre will remain accessible throughout the project.
“We want to minimize inconveniences for visitors during the project,” says Dean Janzen, Aquatic Centre Manager who is excited about the improvements, “We expect people will understand that this is a temporary set up and be very pleased with the final result.”
The Aquatic Centre provides about 4,500 swimming lessons and has more than 100,000 visitors annually. The parking lot improvements are expected to be complete around the middle of July, in time for the very busy summer season.
City Council approved $600K for the improvements in March. The project is forecasted to be under budget.
