City spends $1.5m on pool architects

JOHN MOORHOUSE 12/10/2009 Penticton Herald:
Penticton city council will spend $1.5 million on architectural services for the $23-million expansion of the community centre pool. However, some council members remain concerned over whether the project can be constructed in time to avoid losing out on some of the $15.2 million in senior government grants for the project. Council approved a contract with Bruce Carscadden Architect Inc. of Vancouver to provide detailed design drawings of the upgrade, with support from Penticton-based Meiklejohn Architects. Carscadden was rated as the top of 10 firms which made a submission on the project. John Kirbyson, the city‘s director of parks, recreation and culture, said the company‘s bid included a “very aggressive” time line for completion of the project. The city is under the gun to get the project completed by March 31, 2011 in order to obtain the full federal and provincial government funding.

Council voted 6-1 in favour of the architectural contract, with Coun. Mike Pearce the only council member opposed. Pearce declined comment on the reasons for his opposition, although he said it had to do with concerns on the project as a whole rather than the selection of the architectural firm involved. Pearce asked several questions regarding the tight construction schedule, fearing the city might have to foot the bill for any work not completed by the grant deadline. “I need to see a timeline,” he said. “I have to be certain that I don‘t commit the taxpayer to (higher than anticipated expenses).” Coun. John Vassilaki wondered if the architect or yet-to-be-hired contractor could guarantee the work will be done in time. He said the city should look for some type of performance clause. “It‘s a $23-million project and if we‘re not ready by March 2011, we have to foot the rest of the bill,” Vassilaki said. Kirbyson said those issues will be addressed in the construction contract. “It is a demanding schedule for all of us. That‘s the role of the project management firm -- to keep all of us -- contractor, staff and our architects on that schedule,” he said.

The aquatic centre expansion includes a new family leisure pool to be added to the east of the existing pool, which would then be enlarged to a 10-lane, 25-metre facility. Larger change rooms and an improved public viewing area are also planned. Last month, the city awarded a $315,000 contract to Pivotal Projects Inc. of Vancouver to act as project manager/cost consultants for the project. Kirbyson noted user groups and the public will still have an opportunity to provide input through group meetings and a public open house in January.