Kincardine council

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Kincardine council has decided it will proceed with the Davidson Centre gymnasium as planned without cutting any corners.

In committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (May 12), recreation director Karen Kieffer presented the two options for council to consider. 

The first was to build the gym as originally designed, with the lowest tender bid by Henderson Builders Limited, at $3,577,615. With the building permit fee of $30,000 and architectural fees of $255,990, the total for the project is $3,863,605.

Kieffer said the additional $450,275 could come from the recreation reserve fund ($336,000) and the Kincardine capital reserve fund ($114,275).

Fund-raising through corporations, businesses and organizations, has produced $351,330. The recreation revitalization committee, which is spearheading this project, expects to come up with another $300,000 in public donations.

The second option, said Kieffer, was to cut several areas of the plan, including a reduction in the lobby entranceway and storage, revised exterior windows, decreased exterior work and site work, and revised electrical work.

This would bring the project down to $3,309,915, plus building permit and architectural fees, for a total of $3,595,905. This leaves a shortfall of $182,575 which could come from the recreation reserve fund.

The project has received two-thirds funding from the provincial and federal governments ($1 million each), with another $1 million from the municipality. It must be completed by March 31, 2011.

Kieffer said the recreation committee recommended going with the first option and building the gym as designed.

Andy Burgess of the revitalization committee, said reducing the storage would be a major problem, given that the Davidson Centre does not have enough storage now.

"I say we shouldn't nickel and dime it to death at this point," said councillor Mike Leggett. "Let's just bite the bullet and do it right. There's money in a recreation reserve fund which was for a new recreation facility - that's a fleeting dream now. Put the money toward storage and get it done."

He even suggested the municipality could cover the cost of the building permit fee, rather than charging it to the project.

"If council approves, we could take that $30,000 from the building reserve fund," said chief administrative officer John deRosenroll.

"Congratulations on the work you have all put into this," deputy mayor Laura Haight said to both the recreation committee and the revitalization committee. "I agree with Mike (Leggett). Let's not cheap-out on this, particularly with the storage. Include it in this building and let's do it."

"I also thank the committees for all the hours of work they have put into this project," said councillor Guy Anderson. "With the extended fund-raising expected, the citizens of this municipality will be putting $650,000 into this project. That's not bad in such a short time."

"I hope to see all of you out on the indoor walking track when it's done," said Burgess.

"We're going in circles here already," joked Leggett.

Later in council session, the tender for the Davidson Centre gymnasium addition was awarded to Henderson Builders Limited.

To view the recreation revitalization committee's presentation, with photos of the proposed gym, indoor walking track and warm viewing area, click here.

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Friday, May 14, 2010