A request for proposals has gone out, inviting qualified and experienced architectural and engineering firms to submit their vision of North Bay’s new community and recreation facility.
It is to be built at the Steve Omischl Sports Complex on Lakeshore Drive.
See: City seeks architect for new twin pad arena
The contract for architectural and engineering services is expected to be awarded in September.
“Staff said there is already a lot of interest from local and external firms,” said Johanne Brousseau, chair of council’s community services committee.
The work will include architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, sustainability/energy, civil, landscape architectural and costing work.
The design phase will include public open houses and council updates.
“Once we have a concept from the architect there will be input and also sharing of ideas with the public.”
The deadline for submissions is August 7.
“Originally, I was told that it was going to be in the spring that we would start construction, but now it is more realistic that it will be in the fall of 2020. We will hopefully drop the puck in 2022,” said Brousseau.
“We were a little hasty once we got the okay on the location. Now we’re getting into a realistic date. We do these projects once every 40 or 50 years and we want to not rush and do it right.”
The community and recreation centre will be a multi-use facility.
“Definitely a walking pad, two rinks, and we do have some organizations in town that want to get involved, want to put their input in. So, we’re going to listen to them, see what they have to say. I’m also looking at the money at the end of the day, how much money it costs.”
The figure being used is $30 million.
“And that is where I’d like to stay. The city has a little bit of money set aside,” said Brousseau.
The city will be reaching out to the federal and provincial governments for added financial support.
“If we’re lucky enough to do like Omischl where it was a third, a third, a third, that would be so nice to have.”
Brousseau promised regular updates on the project once it gets rolling.
“Once the process starts, once we get the architects and the tenders in, we will be getting regular meetings with staff to be updated on the process every step of the way,” said Brousseau.
“I was reassured that cost overruns will be controlled because this is not a renovation. There is going to be no unknown and everything will be projected. That part of the project also involves councillor Chris Mayne because he oversees the building, whereas I’m going to oversee the spirit inside the building.”
Providing the West Ferris Arena passes annual inspections, it will remain open during the construction process.
“We’re expecting an official report from the structural engineer. Every year he will be coming back and reviewing the strength of that roof and giving us a passing grade hopefully every year. Ideally, in a perfect world, a child stops skating at West Ferris and the next day that same child can skate at Omischl.”
