Citizens will have more clarity on the status of the proposed twin-pad arena and community centre on Wednesday as contractors on the pre-approved shortlist seeking to build the City of North Bay project have until 1 p.m. to submit their bids before the tender process closes.
Those bid details are expected to be available online immediately following the deadline although North Bay City Council will not likely address the results in a public meeting until July.
The project was pitched to North Bay City Council by municipal staff with an overall estimated $51.6-million price tag, including approximately $44 million in construction costs. Up to $25.77 million in funding from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program could see nearly half of the total projected costs covered.
"It's worrisome that we don't have a fixed number," for the most we are willing to spend on the community centre project stated Coun. Jamie Lowery during an early March budget meeting.
See related: Councillors seek clarity on arena project spending limit
In December 2022, staff recommended the recently elected council "initiate the tendering for the construction of the multi-purpose community and recreation centre." In February, the majority of the council felt it was an effective way to move the project along while leaving itself a way out in the event the tenders come in too expensive for its liking.
North Bay City Council approved the new arena project by a 6-5 vote in February while stressing the resulting financial implications of that move will ultimately decide whether or not to build. Councillors Maggie Horsfield, Lana Mitchell, Justine Mallah, Chris Mayne, Tanya Vrebosch and Mac Bain supported moving forward while Mayor Peter Chirico and Councillors Sara Inch, Mark King, Gary Gardiner and Jamie Lowery voted against going to tender.
See also: More on council's decision to tender new community centre
The rising cost has always been a sticking point. Many felt economic conditions would push the cost well beyond the spending appetite of the taxpayers but the report listed the price tag at $51.6 million in December 2022. The Class 'A' estimate cited then showed a construction cost of $43,531,000.
The City of North Bay initiated this stage to select a general contractor to build the North Bay Community and Recreation Centre on Lakeshore Drive in April. An invitational tender was issued to pre-qualified contractors previously identified as part of a Request for Pre-Qualification process.
According to the City, the new Community and Recreation Centre would replace the West Ferris Arena and will provide the community with improved recreational services and opportunities, including an additional ice pad to better meet demand. The facility will be fully accessible and environmentally sustainable through a net-zero-carbon design. It will also incorporate multi-season use, multi-functionality, and integration between indoor and outdoor spaces at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex on Lakeshore Drive.
Key features include:
- two standard-sized hockey rinks
- walking/running track
- fully accessible building
- warm spectator viewing areas
- outdoor event/warm-up area
- transit pick-up and drop-off location at the main entrance
- community room/meeting space
- community patio-veranda
- a total of 14 barrier-free team change rooms, including eight capable of converting into four enlarged change rooms
- 433 parking spaces
- bus parking spaces
For more information about the project, click here. For more information about the invitational tender, click here.