According to steering committee co-chair, Tony Lacher, the firm has worked on various projects in Drumheller- the latest being the affordable housing building, as well as the Aquaplex and Memorial Arena.
“With their history in the valley we thought it would be a perfect fit,” Lacher said. “The public will be providing additional input on the project as previously committed. A lot of hard work and time has been spent getting this far and it is rewarding to see we are close to next steps. We are working towards a fall start.”
Mayor Bryce Nimmo said, “We are thrilled about the fact that Graham Edmunds Cartier has been selected as the architects for this project. This firm is world renowned and has an excellent track record designing other facilities such as the Saddledome, the Calgary Olympic Speed Skating Oval, various libraries in Canada and the United States as well as other world class facilities.”
“It has been an 18 month grind, and we are looking forward to seeing some progress being made,” Lacher said, mentioning construction will begin in late September and October for leveling land above the flood plain.
Time is of the essence, as the window for grant funding ends in March of 2011.
Fees for the architectural firm are 7.08 per cent of the estimated construction costs of $21,500,000.
“They bring all kinds of expertise to the table, which is so important for decision making,” says Mayor Bryce Nimmo.
“We’ve built the blocks, and now we have to design the blocks to see where they fit,” Nimmo said. “People have been wondering what we have been doing, now they know it’s in the hands of the drawers.”
The first phase of the facility will include a field house, running track, fitness centre, meeting facilities, and a new library.
Graham Edmunds Cartier will begin design work immediately. Given the number of stakeholders in the project and the multi-use nature of the facility, the firm will facilitate workshop/design sessions in Drumheller to obtain stakeholder input. Dates will be announced shortly.
The steering committee has secured funding for the first phase of this project. As part of the Facility Master Plan, additional phases of the project may include replacement of the existing ice refrigeration plant. Future long term projects would include the curling club and a second sheet of ice. These additional phases on the project would commence only if funding has been secured.
