At the Town Council meeting on Monday, October 17, it was decided to look at re-tendering the pool modernization project. After the current bid from Shunda Construction was revised to reflect the new timeline, the bid came back much higher than expected.
Mayor Terry Yemen said, “When the bid came back half a million dollars higher than expected and over our budget, we looked as to why there was such a change in the bid. Originally we only received three bids. Normally, we would get 10 or 12 bids back on a project like this. With Alberta’s economy the way it has been, bids have been coming back 30 to 40 per cent less so this took us by surprise. We hope to repackage and re-tender the project. We are hoping for a more competitive bid with more bidders.”
Yemen reassured inSide Drumheller that the pool modernization was still a priority. With the pool liner arriving at the beginning of November, the modernization is seen as very time sensitive.
He said, “Council has identified this as a priority. The liner is already on a boat coming from Italy. Timing is critical. We have to look at the package and see if there is something we can adjust. We need to repackage it and get it out ASAP so we can stay within the timeline.”
The Aquaplex modernization has been a long awaited project for the residents of Drumheller. Stantec Consulting, the company hired to provide engineering, consulting and design for the Drumheller Aquaplex modernization, generated data through surveys that took place in a two week period in December 2015. They found the residents expressed a strong desire for the addition of a child-toddler pool or a gradual entry into the pool.
Before deciding on a design, an open house was held with four different designs offered for the community to choose their preferred design. There was also an online survey to provide feedback for those who couldn’t make it to the Aquaplex to voice their preferences. Santec put together a design based on these findings. In February 2016, Council approved the Aquaplex modernization to be included in the 2016 budget and in March the pool was closed to measure and order the pool liner.
When it became apparent the project would not meet its original timeline, council voted to delay the project at the September 19 Town Council meeting. With the new timeline and new expenses coming back over budget, Council is looking to find a way to stay within budget.
Mayor Yemen said, “We are still hoping to meet our original timeline and have the pool still go into renovations in May of 2017.”
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