It was good news/bad news for the Bracerbidge councillors regarding the new arena and library complex.
Today, the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre project team presented an update on the facility to General Committee. Construction is progressing on schedule and is 67% complete, with the building slated to open in the summer 2024. During the winter and spring months ahead, construction will focus on the interior of the facility, including the installation of the HVAC and arena refrigeration plants, completing flooring, millwork, arena seating, lighting, signage and painting.
Today, staff requested a 3.98% increase to the project budget, totaling $2.9 million dollars, for the redesign and construction of the stormwater management pond and to manage any unforeseen contingencies to see the remainder of the project through to completion.
This past summer, project contractors determined that plans for the projected wet stormwater management pond could not be completed as initially designed due to evidence of high groundwater and unstable soils that had not been present during site testing or construction activities completed to-date. Accordingly, the plans must be updated to accommodate a dry stormwater management pond, which requires a quality structure that provides adequate total suspended solids removal. Most of the stormwater management pond has already been constructed, so additional components will be added to incorporate this change in design.
Mayor Rick Maloney said the project is now approaching the finish line.
“In every sense of the word this project has gone as smoothly as a project of this magnitude could go,” said Maloney.
Treasurer Paul Judson said the town will likely use additional town reserves to fund the cost or some might be borrowed at budget time.
A final decision on the project budget increase for the completion of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre will be reviewed at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, December 13.
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Mac Redden says
3.3X the budgeted cost for Bracebridge taxpayers is going smoothly according to the mayor?
The new arena is a financial disaster.
For $10 million LESS than Bracebridge taxpayers are now burdened with, King township is completing TWO NHL sized ice rinks, TWO pools, a field house and community room.
A state-of-the-art, carbon neutral, fully accessible recreation complex with TWO!! NHL-sized ice surfaces, a six-lane 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a multi-purpose athletic fieldhouse, and a multi-purpose community room.
Total $86 million minus $38.7 funded from the feds and the province.
king ca/townshipwiderecreationcentre
Some areas know how to get funding and value for money.
Bracebridge is not one of them.
A financial disaster for decades to come.
You think taxes are high now? Just wait until this massive mistake comes home to roost.
Gert Frobe says
These huge cost overruns (cost to Bracebridge taxpayers going from $16 million to $70 million plus all borrowed at high interest rates) is why we need new leadership at Town administration and Council. No excuses for this pet project.
Will Bracebridge remain solvent? The District is on the hook for all the borrowing as they guarantee it., ALL Muskoka taxpayers are on the hook for this extravaganza.
Peggy Tupper says
Absolutely disgusting. SPEND, SPEND SPEND. Taxpayers are broke yet these councillors voted to approve these projects. The old arena needed work but so what. It is functional and meets the needs of the community and it is PAID FOR!!!! What a fantastic idea. Maloney claims to old arena is a dump and needs to go. I like that arena. I am appalled that the residents of Bracebridge are now indebted for generations to come.
Now about that new library. Only a delusional idiot would vote to spend money on a bricks and mortar building to house paper books. This is the electronic era and the old library which is PAID FOR works well for the community. Now don’t start on the other stuff the library does IE a cooling centre in summer. Tim Hortons does that too. Programs for “moms and tots” and other struggles to be relevant uses of libraries.
Not one councilor who voted for these projects should be re-elected, ever, for anything!
Jack Lotd says
Because we know how the Town works this project is in fact going smoothly, according to plan, THEIR PLAN. .
No excuse for these extra costs to the TAXPAYER. None. This is an out of control project pushed by certain interests.
If mistakes weee made :here: “ evidence of high groundwater and unstable soils that had not been present during site testing or construction activities completed to-date“ then those who made them or neglected to do the proper tests should pay the cost overruns.
Blanket approval for millions for ‘contingencies’ sounds suspect.