Build Kamloops committee to consider phased approach to Dufferin multiplex

“The borrowing was based upon a timeline that was impacted. Chairperson [Kelly] Hall, a challenge to the AAP and the court costs associated – right there is approximately $5 million of time and cost delays,” added Hallinan.

As they deal with some increasing costs, staff are proposing use a phased approach for the build out with one rink being built at a later time.

“Although the validation is ongoing, it has become clear that getting it all done within a single phase is going to be difficult,” said Matt Kachel, the city’s infrastructure delivery divisional manager. “What we did was look at that ultimate build-out, and looked at a way to be able to sequence and phase it.”

While the scope has changed to now also include a mini-rink and library, Councillor Bill Sarai was concerned about delaying a rink that was approved by the AAP.

“We approved an AAP with a certain dollar figure, we put it out to our residents and now the scope has changed,” questioned Sarai. “And now we are asked to do less for more because the price has gone up. But we are getting less than what council has directed staff to do.”

While staff say the fourth rink would require additional investment from the city, they note that by planning for all four rinks at the start, construction disruptions would be minimized.

“We came to you with a concept of four rinks and the concept of a number of what it would cost, then we went away to do a validation,” said CAO Byron McCorkell. “We can do it all, but the costs… we’re concerned with the current economy things are changing rapidly, so we’re going to have to make decisions.”

In addition to phasing in the fourth rink, a delayed timeframe would also allow the city to repurpose materials from the de-commissioned Memorial Arena.

“I really like the idea of sequencing and phasing in this fourth sheet,” said Councillor Kelly Hall. “When you look it and you [see] we’ve added a mini-rink and a library to the original concept of just four rinks, it becomes a more of a community facility.”

Council will get a chance to see a clearer picture of the costs next month, as staff will present a fully itemized budget for the arena project on May 26.

by Michael Reeve

Build Kamloops committee to consider phased approach to Dufferin multiplex

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