Sylvan Lake council has decided to go with a construction method for its Multiplex redevelopment/NexSource Centre that would see the project completed for September 2016.
Council unanimously decided on Monday that the town will use the construction manager approach, rather than a general contractor, thus accelerating the $30.6-million project.
Under the general contractor method, the town was looking at a completion date of January 2017.
Mayor Sean McIntyre said on Tuesday that besides the earlier completion date, the town will have the opportunity of seeing quality bids on the project and have more choice when breaking down its elements for tender.
The town’s Public Works Department recommended the town use the construction manager approach.
Council first considered the construction manager approach several weeks ago, and after looking at other projects in other municipalities using the approach, became more comfortable with the idea, the mayor said.
Red Deer’s Dawe Centre revitalization project was done with the same method.
The town will consider hiring a construction manager specifically for the project, McIntyre said. Even though the town has its own engineers, the construction manager is someone with specific qualifications.
There is no guarantee the project will be finished on time. However, going with the construction manager method means there is a higher likelihood it will be done on time, McIntyre said.
The finishing work is being done on detailed designs, and the old arena and curling rink will be demolished in December and January, so the project can start in the spring.
The project involves replacing the arena and curling rink that have reached the end of their lifespan. The town will maintain the second arena and pool that exists now, and add a seniors centre and children’s centre, multi-purpose rooms, a running track and lobby in the new facility to be known as the NexSource Centre.
In a report to council, it is anticipated that the construction manager method would reduce administration and markup costs to an estimated $945,000 whereas the costs with a general contractor would be $1.35 million. Also, the cost of weather delay would be $75,000 per month with a general contractor but zero with the construction manager method.
The chosen method means it will require more time and effort by the town’s project manager and other staff to manage multiple contracts involved.
Council also gave first reading to a bylaw involving borrowing $13 million for the project.