The most expensive municipal project in B次元官网网址B次元官网网址 history won鈥檛 go over budget, city officials promise.聽
Construction costs of a new recreation site won鈥檛 exceed the $242.6 million allocated toward the undertaking, councillors heard this week.聽
鈥淲e can confirm that we are able to deliver this on budget,鈥 Derek Edstrom, a city director, told council at MondayB次元官网网址 meeting.聽
The pledge is possible because the concern chosen by the city to design and build the complex, intended to replace the aging Parkinson recreation centre, has signed an agreement with the city to that effect, Edstrom said.聽
鈥淪o we are taking out the risk of there being substantial cost increases outside of the agreement,鈥 Edstrom said.聽
During a presentation on the project, it emerged that the city is about to unveil a new proposal for admission fees to municipal buildings. That plan could see out-of-town residents in communities like West B次元官网网址 and Lake Country pay higher entrance fees, in recognition of the fact their municipal taxes do not support B次元官网网址-owned facilities.聽
Council endorsed a high-level concept plan for the new recreation facility, hearing about its specific components, with a building permit to be issued at an upcoming meeting after a presentation from architects.聽
The new L-shaped building will be 3.2 times the size of the existing Parkinson rec centre, with three pools, gyms with seating for up to 1,000 spectators, a fitness centre, a four-lane running and walking track, child care, meeting rooms, and food services. The surrounding 20 ha. Park will have 24 pickle ball courts and six sports fields.聽
Original plans were for a building three times the size of Parkinson, but the design was expanded to make the corners of the indoor track larger so people can comfortably run on it without slowing down while changing direction, councillors heard.聽
Timber and glass feature prominently throughout the building, with many Indigenous-inspired design features, council heard. People will be able to sit in the big hot tub while looking at pleasing views of nearby Mill Creek, staff said.聽
Assuming the necessary permit approvals are granted as expected in April, site preparation will start this week with the digging later this spring of a 鈥渧ery large hole鈥 necessary for the swimming pools, said Mac Logan, another city director.聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e working toward project completion in late 2027,鈥 Logan said聽
Construction of the building itself is budgeted at $185 million, but associated site works, such as development of the sports fields, new traffic lights, and parking lift the total budget to $242.6 million, Logan said.聽
The power source for the new building will be mainly electrical with some solar supplement, council heard.聽
Still to be determined is what, exactly, the new facility will be called. That decision will come at a future meeting, when there will also be discussion of any possible corporate sponsorships.聽
In response to a question from Coun. Ron Cannan, staff said there have been no discussions about getting any funding support from nearby Indigenous groups like Westbank First Nation or other municipalities in the Central Okanagan.聽
Cannan also noted the City of Vernon has begun charging non-Vernon residents higher admission charges and wondered if there was any prospect of the City of B次元官网网址 taking the same approach.聽
鈥淲e anticipate bringing a fee discussion to council on city-wide fees in the next few meetings,鈥 city manager Doug Gilchrist said.聽
To which Cannan responded: 鈥淓xcellent.鈥
