Nanaimo Ocean Discovery Centre Business Plan – Executive Report PREPARED BY: Nanaimo Deep Discovery Association www.NDDA.ca CONTACT: Lorne Hildebrand EMAIL: [email protected] Follow Us on FACEBOOK: @NanaimoOceanDiscoveryCentre Version 1.6 NDDA Review May 9, 2017 Table of Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 4 The Ocean Discovery Centre Vision ............................................................................................................. 8 Project History ......................................................................................................................................... 8 A Vision for the Centre........................................................................................................................... 10 Beneficial Impact ............................................................................................................................... 12 Facility Design ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Architectural Concept........................................................................................................................ 14 Project Timeline..................................................................................................................................... 18 Organizational Stage.................................................................................................................................. 20 Legal Structure....................................................................................................................................... 20 Members............................................................................................................................................ 21 Feasibility Stage ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Initial Feasibility Study ........................................................................................................................... 22 Funding and Fund-Raising Plans ............................................................................................................ 24 Funding Sources................................................................................................................................. 25 Location ................................................................................................................................................. 25 Why Nanaimo? .................................................................................................................................. 28 Attractions Determination..................................................................................................................... 29 Project Capital Costs .............................................................................................................................. 31 Human Resources Plan .......................................................................................................................... 32 Phase One – Pre-Operating Stage...................................................................................................... 32 Phase Two – Construction Stage........................................................................................................ 32 Phase Three – Operations Stage........................................................................................................ 32 Operations Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Pre-Operating Budget........................................................................................................................ 33 Operating Financial Projections............................................................................................................. 34 Revenue Assumptions........................................................................................................................ 35 Economic Impact ....................................................................................................................................... 37 The Economic Value of Tourism ........................................................................................................ 37 The Economic Ripple.......................................................................................................................... 40 Tax Revenues and Investments ......................................................................................................... 41 2 | Page Demographic Target .......................................................................................................................... 42 Pre-Start-up Stage...................................................................................................................................... 45 Start-up Stage ............................................................................................................................................ 46 Operating Stage ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Appendix A - About Us............................................................................................................................... 48 Board of Directors. Members and Concept Team ............................................................................. 48 Association Advisors .......................................................................................................................... 50 3 | Page Executive Summary Strategically located within walking distance to some of Nanaimo’s downtown venues including the Cruise Ship Terminal, the Port Theatre, the Casino and the Nanaimo Conference Centre; the Ocean Discovery Centre will be a world class attraction of epic proportion. This unique venue will establish Nanaimo as one of the top ten ‘must see – must visit’ cities in North America. Despite a multitude of ocean science and aquarium theme parks around the world, an often overlooked connection with our ocean environment remains. The simple reason is these venues are aged in not only construction, but in their technological and single dimensional approach to ocean discovery and cultural heritage. The ambiance of these parks are dated, stagnant in their ability to appeal to today’s learning minds, young or old. Unlike anything else in the world, the Ocean Discovery Centre will be a dynamic complex combining; OUR VISION ! Canada’s first Deep Water Technology Marine Display, ! A unique Coastal First Nation Marine Centre, and “An inspiring ! An interactive Marine Ecology Centre. collection of The story of ocean discovery and the greater history of interactive displays, underwater exploration is a terrific tale to be told in this robotics, location. The early and contemporary First Nation Marine Culture, which is an integral part of Nanaimo and submersibles and Vancouver Island, will be fused into the architecture and moving theatre exhibits in the complex, ensuring the rich traditions of Canadian indigenous people are preserved. A experiences contemporary, community based educational display showcasing the featuring regional marine life from the Salish Sea will celebrate the unique aspects of Nanaimo and its history, the present, waterfront in an exciting, accessible, and interactive and revealing the way. future of ocean The facilities will be contained in a 3,200 square meter ecology & building, designed for sustainability and within a local west coast vernacular. As a community asset and sustainable education facility, the architecture, building systems and technologies.” exhibitions would all contribute to the greater story of Nanaimo and the surrounding waters. 4 | Page The Deep Sea Underwater Marine Display, First Nation’s Marine Culture Centre and interactive marine ecology display will be an exciting tourist attraction and education facility boosting the Nanaimo economy, adding vitality to the heart of the community and the Nanaimo Waterfront. This marine/ocean experience will attract local, regional and global visitors to an exciting range of displays and activities, some static, some “virtual”, and some “interactive”. It will reflect on the history, engage with the present, and look to the future. The health, social, economic and environmental benefits of a facility such as the Ocean Discovery Centre are well documented through evidence-based research1. The benefits reach all facets of life, from economic development to environmental sustainability. Recreation, arts, culture and outdoor/open space are essential to personal health. The Ocean Discovery Centre will help build a strong, safe and inclusive community in a part of Nanaimo that for decades has been rendered industrial. It will contribute to the economic development of the waterfront, Islands Trust, the downtown business core and the city itself whilst simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability and providing invaluable educational opportunities. Connected to the rest of the city using interpretive trails, a diversity of access points, recreation facilities, programs and community cultural and educational events the Centre will