DIDSBURY - The Didsbury Memorial Complex arena upgrade project has come in $17,417 under budget at a total cost of $1,432,583, according to a report presented to council by Nicole Aasen, manager of community services.
Started in May 2020, the project wrapped up in December.
Contractor costs for the floor came in at $1,147,420, contractor costs for the boards at $252,947, and other costs such as geotechnical, plumbing, electrical, machining and hauling away of old materials at $32,216.
Cost savings were realized through the use of local contractors whenever possible to avoid travel and mobilization costs, the removal of slabs cost less as a result of using town equipment when possible, and local businesses, farms and individuals took away much of the concrete removed for their own use, council heard.
The removal of the concrete saved the town about $70,000, she said.
The cost savings have allowed the town to include a number of value-added items to the project, council heard.
Those items include the addition of an overhead door system for the Zamboni ice clearing machine entrance, the addition of a small heated concrete at the Zamboni gate for safer, ice-free area for staff and leisure ice users.
Higher glass for spectators viewing areas, and minor upgrades to the board system for better advertising opportunities were also added.
“We are happy that the project has been completed and it looks great,” said Aasen.
A time-lapse video of the project is being prepared by the town showing the project being undertaken.
The video will be available for viewing on the town’s website in coming weeks, she said.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter called the upgraded arena “a showcase for the town.”
Council accepted the report as information.
