INNISFAIL – There were no detailed design plans presented, nor any cost projections, but Innisfail council appeared impressed with a recent staff presentation on the validation process for a new aquatic centre.
The validation process for the new facility, which could morph into a full-fledged multiplex that could cost more than $20 million, began last summer following the selection of Group2 Architecture Interior Design for the project’s schematic design work, a task that is expected to cost a total of $600,000 and take a year to complete.
The project’s opening schematic design process was to determine the site, and review options for energy, accessibility and wellness.
“I found it very interesting to hear (the) insights into the process that they've been through the past few months,” said mayor Jean Barclay. “They were very positive about the experience and felt that it has been extremely beneficial. I liked what I heard."
At council’s regular meeting on Dec. 19, Steven Kennedy, director of operations for the Town of Innisfail, updated council on the process since a pre-validation of four options for the new facility was completed last August.
Council was told the options included a renovation, a renovation with a small addition, new build at 20,000 square feet and a new build at 23,000 square feet. The footprint size of the existing aquatic centre is about 19,000 square feet.
Kennedy said the full Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) team was finalized in September and has been meeting weekly to review the progress of each team members list.
“We addressed any concerns or questions. We tracked the schedule and costing, as well as reviewed next steps for the following meeting,” said Kennedy, adding in September and October the IPD team completed a review and analysis of the site selection for the new build.
Council was told there are four site options, including existing pool site, arena site west, arena site north and arena site south.
Kennedy said town officials also toured the Drayton Valley Aquatic Centre in November while it was still under construction.
“We heard from the Town of Drayton Valley’s key team members on the process and from the site superintendent on the construction,” said Kennedy, adding they were able to provide feedback to the IPD team on what they liked and didn’t like.
Kennedy told council the team has been focusing on meeting or exceeding the existing pool programming while minimizing the footprint in order to minimize overall cost.
He said this includes “unique features” that other centres in Central Alberta do not offer, and energy efficiencies today and into the future.
Kennedy told council the process was a “bit of a roller coaster” but the experience of the team to put in five values – unique, collaboration, sustainability and efficiency, quality and community satisfaction – led to a greater understanding of what was important to the town and the team was able to provide valuable feedback.
He advised council there were also discussions with Drayton Valley officials about funding, a situation and process, he added, that is similar to the Town of Innisfail and included reviewing grants.
Kennedy said funding for the Innisfail project will also have to take into account what the town’s financial status is for the project as well as “what does escalation look like?
“That's a big discussion for us right now within the team, is what's realistic, what's realistic in four months, what's realistic in 14 months of where this project will be? It really comes down to an industry guess as to what its is going to be,” said Kennedy.
“Depending on the grant size, do we wait more knowing escalations are coming or do we go to the bank and pay the interest?”
He said the delivery of the draft validation report is scheduled to be given to administration by mid-January for review and will be presented to council by mid-February.
