City races to complete outdoor pool to keep gov't stimulus grant
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Bill Hutchins
Email
Print
Tweet ThisEMC News - The City of Kingston is in a race against time to construct an outdoor pool beside the Memorial Centre in order to keep a $2 million economic stimulus grant.
Councillors voted 12-1 to fast-track building the new Leo Lafleur aquatic centre even though the price tag has risen to $8.6 million from the original estimate of $6 million.
"It's been a very difficult process for staff," said Lanie Hurdle, director of recreation and leisure. "We are recommending to move forward."
Hurdle told councillors at their July 20 meeting that the higher pool price is the result of several factors, competition with other communities to hire contractors and skilled trades to complete economic stimulus projects, plus higher construction costs in winter and overtime costs to work six days a week to meet the tight completion deadline.
The aquatic centre, located on the east side of the Memorial Centre arena, will feature swimming lanes, water slide, lazy river, children's splash pad, outdoor patio-style deck and change rooms.
Hurdle says other communities are scrambling to complete their own recreation projects that also have strings attached to receive federal funding.
"We know the city is not the only municipality in this particular situation."
Councillors debated the fate of the pool project given the rising construction costs and the federal government's deadline for completion of March 31, 2011 to keep the grant.
"This federal grant money comes at a price that I'm not willing to pay," said Coun. Vicki Schmolka, who was the lone voice urging council not to begin the pool project because of the financial risks.
She says the city is in jeopardy of losing the $2 million grant because eight months is not enough construction time, even at "warp speed."
But most councillors are willing to take the plunge.
"I can't imagine the federal government pulling the plug on such an important project," said Coun. Steve Garrison.
He says the city has already demolished the old Leo Lefleur pool, which had reached the end of its lifespan, and area residents were promised a new facility.
"Are we supposed to leave a pile of rubble on Alfred Street for north end residents to see driving by? I don't think so."
Garrison added: "We've moved too far along this process to say no."
Councillors gave staff permission to award the more expensive contract to Emmons & Mitchell Construction Limited. The contractor did not offer the lowest price among the three competitive bids received, but city staff say it has more pool building experience.
Hurdle outlined $600,000 in proposed budget cuts to reduce the scope of work including eliminating energy efficient LEED fixtures, changes to the interior/exterior finishes, smaller splash pad and water slide, and fewer play features.
But councillors told staff not to cheap out on the project. They say residents deserve the bells and whistles. The original pool design will be built without any budget cuts.
"I don't think we should cheapen the end product," agreed Coun. Ed Smith, whose district includes the Memorial Centre.
"This is one of those instances we have to put our money where our mouth is," added Coun. Bill Glover, referring to the city's policy to build new municipal structures to a LEED standard.
Council had already budgeted $6 million for the aquatic centre (including the $2 million federal grant), but will use $3.4 million from a capital reserve fund to cover the extra costs and contingencies.
Staff say they've asked Ottawa to extend its March 31, 2011 completion deadline, but say there's no indication the government will do that. The contractor can not guarantee completion by March 31. If the pool is not "substantially" finished by then, the city may have to dip into its reserve funds to make up the lost federal money, staff warned.
The aquatic centre is part of a larger $30 million revitalization of the 24-acre Memorial Centre grounds which includes a linear park and Memorial Gardens honouring veterans. However, only the pool is tied to the government grant.
blog comments powered by Disqus
