Though it may delay the project by several weeks or even longer, Mapleton councillors want to re-examine preliminary plans for the roof of the PMD Arena expansion.
In particular, councillors were not convinced a flat concrete slab roof was the best idea for the arena.
Public Works Director Larry Lynch told council last week he expects the final drawings and official tender for the expansion to be ready by the end of this week – and changing any plans now would cause an “extensive” delay.
Lynch explained that the concrete slab roof with a two per cent grade was designed by Tacoma Engineers, the firm in charge of the construction, and the township’s project team is happy with the Tacoma design.
Mayor John Green asked if perhaps a four per cent grade would be better than two percent.
Lynch said perhaps, but Tacoma originally wanted a one per cent grade, and the township requested two. The engineers are happy with the way it is now, Lynch added.
“I’m not a big fan of a flat roof,” Green said.
Jim Baker, Mapleton’s Chief Building Official, said he is very confident the roof design will meet the needs of the township and will withstand the elements, as well as falling snow and ice from the higher roof of the original arena building.
“All in all, I think our concerns are being met with this particular proposal,” Baker said.
Councillor Mike Downey asked why there would be such a long delay to develop a plan for a pitched roof similar to the roof on the existing building.
Lynch replied that means Tacoma would have to start the process all over again “from scratch.”
He added that the preliminary plans from Tacoma were delivered on a tight timeline, and he again stressed that changing them now would mean a long delay.
Downey replied that he doubts the delay would be as long as Tacoma claims. But even if the project has to be delayed a month or two, Downey said he is willing to wait, because the building will be around for decades.
Baker noted Tacoma staff had suggested that a pitched roof may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option. But neither is “a box at the front of the building,” Downey replied.
Councillor Bruce Whale asked what the difference in price would be between the flat and pitched roofs. Lynch said that was not discussed with the engineers.
Downey said he thinks the township should look at the cost of a pitched roof design that suits the existing structure. Lynch said he has no problem if that’s what council prefers.
But, Lynch noted, thus far the engineers have done a great job and given the township everything it has requested, and at no point in the process did anyone mention a preference for a pitched roof.
Councillor Jim Curry said he too would like a price comparison between the two roof styles. Baker asked if councillors wanted something like an extension of the current roof line, to which Green replied yes.
