GRAVENHURST - Costs for the expansion of Gravenhurst Centennial Centre are going to hit the roof, although at this point by how much is still unknown.
Members of the centre’s decision committee found out last week that issues with the centre’s roofing need to be addressed and costs will not be covered under the original contract. Costs for fixing the roofing are unknown as the architect and contractors are determining the scope of the work needed.
“For the most part the deficiencies are completed but there are items to be completed that aren’t priced yet,” said Wayne Rosberg of CS&P Architects. Those items include the issues with the roof, where the original ice arena building attaches to the newly expanded portion with the aquatic facility, he added. “The simplest thing (in original construction) would have been to say let’s remove the existing roof (and build it as one piece). It doesn’t work; the old roof is difficult to tie in to.”
The problems lie with the roofing interface, where a buildup of ice backed up this spring thaw. He explained those issues will also be treated as “changes” rather than deficiencies, as the roof was built to specifications under the designs. The plans are to add extra waterproofing in that section of roof and improve ice-melting capabilities there.
A second issue still to be finalized in the phase one portion of the construction is the arena’s melting pit for the ice resurfacing machine’s cleanings. Rosberg said there are no mechanical issues with the pit, but there is a problem with the grating that will need to be addressed. He said parties from both the town and contractor’s sides will meet shortly to go over details of any remaining deficiencies and order changes to determine final costs as a lump sum.
“They are pricing them (work changes); basically, it’s do the work, then find out the cost,” Rosberg said.
In the phase two aquatic portion, there are minor issues with power to a scissor lift for equipment moving due to a blown seal, some final signage to get in place and the dehumidifier needs some balancing to meet certain standards.
Rosberg said there are also deficiencies with paint peeling in some of the dressing rooms and the gymnasium floor, which will be treated shortly.
The entire centre expansion project, funded through stimulus grants was originally budgeted at approximately $18.5 million and by the end 2011, was about $4.5 million over budget. Mayor Paisley Donaldson, who is also a member of the centre’s decision committee, said she had hopes to have clearer, if not final cost numbers for later in May or early June, although that may be delayed with the inclusion of the new costs.
To help curtail potential costs, the decision committee decided not to install some minor second-storey directional signage and costs for the electronic outdoor signage were removed from the 2012 budget.
However, the committee is seeking sponsors in the hopes that the sign may be installed this year.
Bike racks are now on-site and will be installed shortly, while the committee is also looking for the right location for a trio of flagpoles funded through G8 grants that will bear the national, provincial and town flags.
Meanwhile, Debbie Broderick, the town’s manager of recreation, community services and centennial centre operations, explained she is still trying to organize an official opening ceremony for the centre with both federal and provincial representatives on hand. So far she is eyeing a date in mid to late June.
A ceremony to mark the Rotary Club’s sponsorship of the centre’s main street area is also in the making, as the club enters its 75th anniversary in town.