The "single building" design option being considered by council on Monday. (Council agenda package/City of P.A.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Major Project

Council to vote on updated conceptual design of new rec complex Monday

Mar 25, 2021 | 6:29 PM

The new proposed conceptual design of Prince Albert’s new multimillion-dollar recreation complex is now public.

The plan is being brought forward after closed-door meetings between city councillors and administration. It does not include an estimated cost.

The new proposed design is based on the “single building” design option presented to council by the project’s architects in January.

It features an eight lane pool, two arenas, and the addition of 2,000 square feet of commercial space under one roof.

One arena will have seating for 270 people, plus 90 standing. The second will have a seating capacity of 540, plus 90 standing.

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The arenas will have player dressing rooms totalling 6,720 square feet and referee dressing rooms totalling 800 square feet.

The proposed aquatics centre will have a lazy river, two water slides, spectator seating for 200, and a whirlpool.

Questions of cost

In January, the architects estimated the cost of the single building design option with an eight lane pool and two arenas with 450 seats each would be $69.9 million – nearly $10 million over the project’s budget.

On Thursday Mayor Greg Dionne defended an estimated cost not being included in the updated plan, saying it wasn’t possible to get an accurate number until the detailed design is complete.

“We do have a preliminary budget, we think it can be delivered for $60 million,” Dionne said. “So we wait for detailed plan, the detailed plan may come back at $58 million, it may come back at $62, nobody knows and that’s why we don’t want to tie it to a price.”

When asked to clarify if he believed the current proposed plan could come in around $60 million, Dionne said he hoped so, but wouldn’t “commit to that.”

“But when we did get our initial plan and we sent it to the federal government, they went through it with a fine tooth comb, so did the province and they all thought we could do it for that amount too,” he said, referencing the funding agreement for the project, which will see senior levels of government contribute $44 million to the project.

If council approves the conceptual design on Monday night, the architects will next start work on the detailed design. Dionne said it feels good to be moving ahead with the next phase of the project.

“I can’t wait until we’re actually in the ground,” he said, adding recent development at the site, which earthworks are currently being completed at, looks great.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom