Councillors have approved what they say is the last tender for phase one of the Marden Park master plan.
Last week, council approved a $127,363 tender from Pioneer Septic Solutions Inc. for the construction of an outdoor football field.
At $96,443, Pioneer had the lowest of nine bids for the construction of the field, with the others ranging from $99,166 to $290,785.
Recreation Manager Robin Milne also recommended the township add $30,920 – as bid by Pioneer – for the installation of sod, bringing the total to $127,363. He explained the company is working mainly on drainage, with all other work to be completed by a landscape sub-contractor.
Council unanimously approved the tender (councillor Roger Knapp was absent), bringing the total cost to-date of the park development to $6,723,269 – which is $173,269 over budget.
Milne explained the extra costs are a result of:
– dewatering on the site;
– increased septic system requirements;
– solid conditions under the building footprint;
– addition of a viewing mezzanine;
– external enclosure of the fire suppression system; and
– upgrades to the gas and hydro services; and
– engineering fees, which Milne said have been “sneaking up” past expectations.
He noted the township had about $70,000 shaved off the price of the building’s septic system, which now comes with an overall price tag of $331,942.
Milne also said the “active communities campaign” has raised about $440,000.
About the project
Phase one of the Marden Park development includes an outdoor football field with lighting and a 56,000 square foot steel structure that will house an indoor Sports field with artificial turf, an indoor track, and a multi-functional board room.
The original estimate for the project was just under $6.2-million, two-thirds of which was funded by the provincial and federal governments. The township was issued a debenture for its portion of $2,066,000. The debenture was issued with a 4.361% interest rate for a 10-year term, based on a 20-year amortization, with a large payment in the tenth year.
In the 2010 budget, upon completion of preliminary studies and a building design, the township added $350,000 from the parks and recreation development charges reserve fund, raising the overall budget for the project to $6.55-million.
Indoor facility
Thanks to a $250,000 donation from Royal Distributing, the indoor facility will be known as the Royal Distributing Performance and Activity Centre.
Naming rights apply to just the indoor facility, and the name will be for the life of the building.
Officials expect the new building will cater to the 3,325 township residents under the age of 18, although Milne stressed great efforts have been made in the design to accommodate all age groups.
The township has also signed a rental agreement with the Ontario Football Alliance (OFA). The five-year lease for a 471 square-foot administration office commences on Sept. 1 and will generate $484.35 per month in rent for the municipality. The price will rise each year at a rate equal to inflation.
About 70% of prime time availability at the facility (5 to 11pm on weekdays and all day on the weekends) is already booked from October to March. Milne said it is difficult to know how many locals are included in those bookings because most are booked by leagues themselves.
“However I can say Rockwood FC has a lot of time slots booked,” Milne said.
Information on booking availability and rates is available at www.get.on.ca.
