Renewing Recreation in the Strathcona Regional District
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex is more than just a building. It is a well-used recreational hub owned and operated by the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) that contributes to the health and well-being of residents within the City of Campbell River, Electoral Area D and surrounding areas. It provides countless personal, social, and economic benefits to the public and is an integral part of building strong communities.
Key components of Strathcona Gardens were constructed in the 1970s. Through studies and feedback from the public, we know that the facility is aging and is in need of renewal. To ensure that the facility continues to meet the needs of our communities now and into the future, the SRD has embarked on a project called REC-REATE Strathcona Gardens.
The goal of REC-REATE is to renew the facility to address aging components and to deliver recreation services that the community desires in an exciting, sustainable, safe and inclusive environment.
See all the exciting features you can look forward to enjoying! Phase 1 and Phase 2 design plans are available.
Construction Updates
Latest Update: May 2026
Every week brings us one step closer to opening the doors to this incredible new aquatic facility! Here’s a look at what’s happening on site:
Crews have been hard at work on the upper and lower roofs, exterior walls, window framing, air handling unit installation, and ongoing civil works.
Inside the building, the vision is coming to life! Significant progress is underway in the pool areas, change rooms, and access corridors, including architectural ceilings, tile installation, and key electrical and mechanical systems.
Behind the scenes, work is also advancing in the technical basement corridors with pool piping and equipment, fire protection systems, HVAC installation, and electrical room development.
Read past updates below:
December 2024
Demolition Work: The front yard, pool slide, fitness area, and chemical rooms have been successfully demolished, clearing the way for the completion of bulk excavation in the change room area.
Civil Infrastructure: A key milestone was reached with the new water main line now connected to both City infrastructure and the facility. Additional civil work, including the installation of sewer and stormwater systems, is ongoing.
Structural Work: Construction of footings, walls, and columns at the basement level is well underway. This phase is on track for completion by Spring 2025, setting the stage for the next critical milestone: the installation of structural steel.
November 2024
Our temporary chemical room relocation is done and officially approved by relevant authorities
Watermain connection to the City has been completed.
Demolition of the northwest wing is in full swing, set to wrap up in the next couple of weeks.
Excavation for the new aquatic centre is ongoing, and we’re thrilled to watch it take shape!
October 2024
The General Contractor is officially on site! All temporary facilities and signage are up and ready to guide you.
Civil work to improve access to the facility is complete.
The pool slide has been successfully decommissioned and removed.
Detailed excavation for the pool’s foundation is currently in progress.
Temporary chemical room installations are underway, with relocation expected to be completed by October 11th.
September 10, 2024
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) celebrated a significant milestone on September 10, 2024, with the groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated REC-REATE project. The event took place at Strathcona Gardens on the future site of the new aquatic centre, officially marking the commencement of construction for this major community enhancement project. Read more at RecreateSG.ca/news After years of community and government support, we are excited to finally break ground on this exciting project. We understand there will be some changes and adjustments needed by the public as we watch the new building take shape, and we hope you can use this page to find information and answer your questions.
December 2025
Structural steel detailing is nearing completion, exterior wall construction is underway, and roof assemblies are progressing.
Concrete masonry walls in the technical areas are complete, with change room walls close behind.
Major milestones for all pools have been achieved, and installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and pool systems is now well underway.
Scaffolding is in place to support interior work, while painting of structural elements and construction of bleachers and slide access stairs continue.
November 2025
Structural steel and Q-deck installation have been completed in all zones.
Steel stud framing, roofing, and concrete masonry wall construction are underway.
Pool piping under the slab is progressing in the hot, wellness, leisure, and lap pools.
The pool slide platform and access stairs are currently underway.
Mechanical and electrical piping and equipment installations are advancing in the technical corridor.
September 2025
Plumbing installations, slab-on-grade, and above-grade structures in the change rooms are underway.
Backfilling, compaction, and trenching for piping in the hot, wellness, leisure, and lap pools are in progress.
Masonry work, along with pool, electrical, and mechanical piping in the lower-level service corridor, is progressing smoothly.
Q-deck installation continues, preparing the base for the pool roof system
July 2025
Foundations and pool walls are complete, including slab-on-grade at the basement level.
Current work includes suspended slab construction for the lap, leisure, hot, and wellness pools, along with backfilling, exterior waterproofing, and perimeter drainage installations.
Next up: Structural steel erection and continued slab-on-grade work with integrated mechanical and electrical systems.
April 2025
East, west, and south walls at the lap and leisure pools have been built.
Sub-base prep and north wall construction are next
Work has started on the hot and wellness pools
Exterior work includes drainage installation, waterproofing, and insulation of exterior walls
March 2025
All exterior foundations, columns, and walls have been poured.
Construction of the lap pool has begun, with formwork and concrete placement for footings and walls well underway.
Additionally, mechanical and electrical rough-ins and backfilling are in progress.
January 2025 Project Update: Construction Progress
Multiple footings and sections of basement walls have been formed and poured.
Work continues on foundations, basement walls, and plumbing installations in the coming weeks!
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May 2026
Every week brings us one step closer to opening the doors to this incredible new aquatic facility! Here’s a look at what’s happening on site:
Crews have been hard at work on the upper and lower roofs, exterior walls, window framing, air handling unit installation, and ongoing civil works.
Inside the building, the vision is coming to life! Significant progress is underway in the pool areas, change rooms, and access corridors, including architectural ceilings, tile installation, and key electrical and mechanical systems.
Behind the scenes, work is also advancing in the technical basement corridors with pool piping and equipment, fire protection systems, HVAC installation, and electrical room development.
March 2026
Concrete work is underway for the leisure pool features, stairs, and ramps
Exterior and interior framing and roofing are steadily coming together
Masonry crews are hard at work in the change rooms, sauna, and steam areas
Painting has officially begun in both upper and lower ceiling spaces
The lap pool area is gearing up for waterproofing and tile installation
Mechanical and electrical installations continue throughout the technical corridor and pool deck
Project Progress Photos
Project Timeline
Complete: 2018 - Feasibility Study
Complete: 2022 - Detailed Design
Complete: June 2024 - Project Tendering
Current: 2024 Summer to Fall 2026 - Project Construction
