Joint Release of the City of Quesnel/Cariboo Regional District:
The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee unanimously agreed to move forward to the next phase of the North Cariboo Arena Replacement Project based on a revised design developed by CEI Architecture. The decision was made at the April 14, 2015 Joint Planning Committee meeting after a revised plan and project costing were presented to the Committee by CEI Architecture and project management firm MKT Development Group. The revised design has resulted in a reduction of $3.5 million in estimated project costs compared to the quantity survey estimate provided by a cost consultant in February. The estimated project cost is now $18.75 million, which includes a building construction cost of $13.7 million plus site development and design costs.
“CEI and MKT met our challenge to achieve all of the original program objectives, keep the building on the preferred site, and substantially reduce the project’s estimated cost.” says North Cariboo Joint Committee Co-Chair and Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson.
The $3.5 million in project savings were achieved by removing the connecting link between Arena Two and the new arena, leaving the existing ice plant in its current location, and reducing the overall size of the building. Removing the physical connection between the two arenas will allow traffic to enter the new parking lot from the north off Barlow Avenue which will result in significant savings as it is no longer necessary to upgrade parking and laneway access from the south behind Arena Two.
“The new design has resulted in a reduction of approximately 4,000 square feet from the building, but the original program requirements are still there,” says North Cariboo Joint Committee Co-Chair and Cariboo Regional District Vice Chair Ted Armstrong. “It has a regulation sized ice surface, two multipurpose rooms, five full sized dressing rooms, three additional flex and referee dressing rooms, and a concourse that can be used as a walking track.”
The revised design will provide seating for 1,300 people with a spectator capacity, including standing room, of 1,483.
It is anticipated that the construction document phase will be completed by the end of the summer which will allow the project to be tendered in the fall and construction to start in the spring of 2016.
“Our priority is to continue to find cost savings during the next phase of the project,” says Armstrong. “We remain committed to making sure this project meets the needs of stakeholders and the community-at-large at a cost that is as close as it can be to the original estimate.”
To enable completion of the detailed project designs and prepare for construction in 2016, an increase in the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks 2015 budget was approved by the Cariboo Regional District Board at its March 27 meetings. The 2015 budget will result in an increase in the sub-regional recreation residential taxation rate of approximately $25 per $100,000 of assessed value. This taxation increase is consistent with the estimate provided during the referendum process for the project undertaken in June 2014.
The Joint Planning Committee also received a report regarding the status of the fundraising initiative at the meeting. Total confirmed fundraising to date, consisting of both cash donations and pledges, is just over $1.2 million.
“Now that we have clarity regarding the project scope and we’re moving forward based on the new design, it’s time to reactivate our fundraising efforts,” says Simpson.
The Joint Planning Committee passed a resolution at their April 14 meeting to use up to $18,000 previously committed to restart the fundraising effort. The Quesnel and Community Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC) will continue to oversee the fundraising effort activities under the direction of the interim QCEDC Board.
Revised Arena Drawings can be viewed online at cariboord.ca or quesnel.ca
The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee unanimously endorsed a resolution to proceed with the Arena Replacement Project on the site as proposed during the public consultation process, prior to the referendum in June 2014. The site which is located on the parking lot of the former Cariboo Regional District Library is adjacent to the existing Twin Arenas.
The resolutions will now be sent to the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors for final endorsement.
No comments:
Post a Comment