Back to SearchBid prices are in for the construction of the new Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Centre and the lowest bid is 35% above the pre-tender estimate for the facility. Inflationary pressures have driven costs up substantially bringing the total project cost to $113.8 million. This cost includes all design fees, project management costs, project contingency, equipment and furniture and $6 million in PST costs.
“There is no question we remain committed to getting this recreation centre built and building it with the features that meet the needs of our community,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “We need to move ahead with this project. It took us years to secure this kind of funding. If we delay now, we will lose the opportunity and it will never be built.”
At a Special Executive Committee meeting on June 8, 2022, members of City Council will consider two reports from the Aquatic and Arenas Steering committee. The reports recommend awarding the construction tender and a revised funding plan to cover the additional expenses.
“The funding plan for this project meets the needs of our community without tax increases during this time of high inflation,” added Mayor Dionne. “This project is overdue. Our existing facilities are over 45 and 55 years old.”
“This is our new reality,” said Wes Hicks, Director of Public Works for the City of Prince Albert. “Construction costs are not going to go down and these are inflationary pressures out of our control.”
The revised funding plan continues to include no increase in property taxes to fund the new facility. This is achieved through the following measures:
- Reducing the build costs by $7 million by modifying non-functional elements;
- Increasing borrowing by $30 million for a total borrowing of $46 million;
- Securing $24 million in external dollars through provincial and federal funding and fundraising initiatives; and
- Annual financing payments through the Civic Facilities Reserve and targeting property tax revenues from the Yard Development.
Under the proposed plan, the facility will be built with the same features as originally announced. On the aquatics side this includes an 8 lane 25 meter competitive pool, 200 spectator seats, combined leisure, splash and wave pool, lazy river; two water slides and whirlpool. On the arenas side this includes 2 NHL size 200ft x 85ft rinks, seating for 366 in one rink and 608 in the other rink, player dressing rooms totaling 6,720 square feet and referee dressing rooms totaling 800 square feet.
To accommodate the projected additional borrowing the recommendation is for the City’s debt limit to increase from $75 million to $120 million. The current per capita debt limit is the 12th lowest in the province out of 16 cities. If the proposed long term debt limit is approved, the City of Prince Albert will be ranked 6th in the province.
Executive Committee recommendations if approved will be forwarded to the next City Council meeting on June 20, 2022 for final consideration and groundbreaking will start in July.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Mayor Greg Dionne
(306) 953-4300
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