Re: “Blackfalds plans $5M deal to buy building,” Oct. 10.
Blackfalds’ new public works and parks facilities are now costing 40 per cent less due to our economic slowdown. What was originally $8.3 million in expected costs for eight acres will now cost $5 million for 10 acres.
According to The Advocate: “Blackfalds has not been the only central Alberta municipality to reap the savings from the competitive pricing environment the lingering economic downturn has created.
“In recent years, Red Deer County ramped up its construction spending to take advantage of tenders that, in some cases, were coming in at half boom-time prices.”
The big question is: Did Red Deer miss out on possibly $40 million or more in savings in regard to our proposed aquatic centre?
If Blackfalds can get 20 per cent more for 40 per cent less, and if the county is getting tenders back at 50 per cent less, why not Red Deer?
What is wrong with this picture? Does Red Deer live in some alternate universe?
Blackfalds, Red Deer County, Sylvan Lake, Lacombe and Penhold are investing in their facilities and growing, while Red Deer holds back.
Red Deer is so focused on pinching pennies that millions of dollars in savings is passing us by. It reminds me of the joke: “Their ship came in, but they were at the train station.”
I hope it is not too late.
We may still be able to save tens of millions, create jobs, provide much-needed and long-awaited facilities and expand our tourism industry.
Build our multi-use aquatic centre with a 51-metre pool on empty land at the corner of Highway 2 and Highway 11a for high visibility in a time of high savings and high unemployment, and you could be seen as a visionary, or at least a hero.
What say, you, city council? Time for waking up or hitting the snooze button again.
Garfield Marks, Red Deer