DIDSBURY - Town council has agreed with a plan to cover additional costs totalling $2,665 associated with construction of the new Didsbury skatepark.
The move came during the recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting, held in person and by Zoom.
“This project progressed with no issues, however increased fill was required for the skatepark, above what has been donated as a gift in-kind from a local contractor. This increased the costs from the original quote of $350,000,” said Ethan Gorner, the Town of Didsbury's chief administrative officer.
“While the grant allocation was budgeted at $25,256, the total available was $25,500 (a difference of $244). The skatepark reserve balance budgeted was $5,119, which had accrued interest over time, adding an additional $355.”
The department sold the old skatepark equipment and received proceeds of $3,000, council heard.
Council accepted the skatepark project summary as information and that the additional project costs of $2,665 be funded $355 from reserves, $244 from grant monies and the remaining $2,066 from the proceeds from the sale of old skatepark equipment.
Playground project total cost unveiled
Meanwhile, the new Jets Playground outside the Didsbury Memorial Complex has come in at a total cost of $99,912, up slightly from original estimates due principally to some increased materials costs, council heard.
“This project was delayed due to a significant delay in shipping and the playground reached completion in mid-October 2021,” said Gorner.
The fencing along 17th Avenue had posts installed in late 2021, and the remainder of the work will be completed once the weather improves this spring, he said.
“Increased costs for this project are related to the amount of fill required to bring the playground site level with the street, as previously this site was set well below street level to accommodate the old skatepark equipment,” he said. ‘
“Additionally the cost of time required to frame in the playground site had increased substantially from the time of capital budget approval.”
The total final cost of the project was $99,912, a difference of $2,912.
“The parks vehicle and equipment replacement reserve is available to fund the overage, which would leave a balance of $30,973 in the reserve,” he said.
Council accepted the Jets Playground report as information and approved the additional project costs of $2,912 to be funded from the parks vehicle and equipment replacement reserve.
All councillors attended the March 8 meeting.
