The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCSD-019-08 Cl![-!ll-glOn REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: July 7,2008 Resolution #:flf R - ~ 4-9 - og Report #: CSD-019-08 File#: By-law #: Subject: NEWCASTLE & DISTRICT RECREATION COMPLEX - FACILITY UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CSD-019-08 be received for information. Submitted by: J s . arua i ctor of Community Services Reviewed bY:cJ~-!:: ~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer JPC/SM/GAlJM/wg CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-5506 REPORT NO.: CSD-019-o8 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 At the September 25, 2006 meeting, Council awarded the construction of the Newcastle & District Recreation Complex to Aquicon Construction Company Ltd. in the amount of $15,065,884.00. Construction of the facility, designed by Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, commenced in October 2006. 2.0 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 2.1 Since construction began the project has progressed steadily, although the schedule did encounter labour disputes during spring 2007 that resulted in a schedule delay. At the time of this report, the project is approximately 95% complete. 2.2 Based on the current progress of construction, staff are anticipating the building to be substantially complete on July 18, 2008. At this point staff will have access to the building and the contractor will continue to complete deficiencies and other minor items. Subsequently, the facility should be fully completed by August 15. 2.3 At the time of preparation of this report, the pool tanks are full and pool mechanical systems operational. The gymnasium flooring is currently being installed. 2.4 The completion of the exterior grading and landscaping is ongoing and will be completed during the summer months. 2.5 Separate to the facility construction, the Engineering Department will be constructing a sidewalk along the west side of Rudell Road, from Highway #2 to the Edward Street entrance to the facility. The project has recently been awarded and work is expected to be completed in advance of the opening of the building. 3.0 POST CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES 3.1 Upon access to the facility on July 18th staff will undertake a six week program to prepare the facility for public use. The program will include the completion of operational equipment commissioning and training, inspection and approval to open the pools and water slide by Durham Region Public Health and Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA), facilities and aquatic staff training, data/phone system installation and the delivery and set up of office furnishings and equipment, program and aquatic supplies. 3.2 Based on accessing the facility July 18th, staff are planning to have the facility unofficially open to the public on September 2nd At that time an abbreviated schedule of public programs will be offered. Full programming in recreation, REPORT NO.: CSD-019-08 PAGE 3 aquatics and fitness will commence with the fall program schedule on September 20th 3.3 During this post construction period, the department will be finalizing all staffing requirements for the facility operations and recreation services with the goal of being fully staffed and trained in time for public use of the building. 4.0 PROJECT BUDGET 4.1 The approved project budget is as follows: Construction Consulting Contingency Disbursements Furnishings/Equipment $15,000,000.00 $ 950,000.00 $ 750,000.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 355.000.00 $17,155,000.00 Project Total 4.2 As previously advised, we experienced a number of challenges that had an impact on the project budget. These included the design and installation of sanitary sewer services to the facility, saturated native soil conditions identified during the excavation for foundation walls and during the preparation of parking lot base, remediation in the pool basement area for groundwater conditions and water and sewer frontage fees due to Durham Region. The costs of these items are funded from the project contingency. 5.0 RECREATION PROGRAMMING AND FACILITY SCHEDULES 5.1 At this time it is expected that the facility will be fully operational for the fall session of departmental recreation programs. Registration for the fall session of programs will commence on August 6th for general recreation programs and aquatic leadership classes and August 23rd for children's swim lessons. Departmental program registration can occur through the "Eazy Reg" telephone line (905-623-3299), on-line www.c1arinatoneazvreg.ca or in person at the Community Services Department administration office or any existing recreation centre. (Note: registration will not be available at the Newcastle & District Recreation Complex until September 2nd). 5.2 The fall session of recreation programs will be promoted through the Clarington Community Recreation and Leisure Guide (Fall 2008) which will be delivered to homes in Clarington in their Clarington This Week, on August 6th. 5.3 The programs currently planned for the Newcastle & District Recreation Complex cover a wide range of activities; some examples would include: swimming lessons, youth sports (basketball, floor hockey, badminton, dodgeball), general REPORT NO.: CSD-019-08 PAGE 4 youth programs (after-school, crafts), adult sports (basketball, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey), birthday parties, aquafit and group fitness classes. 5.4 The Community Services Department is currently consulting with existing recreation partners to pursue opportunities to provide additional recreation activities for older adults and pre-schoolers/parent and tot programs. 5.5 Pool schedules have also been included in the Fall Recreation and Leisure Guide and have been developed on the same basis as existing schedules at the Courtice Community Complex and Clarington Fitness Centre. The schedule includes public swims (general public - all ages), adult swims (18+ years), lane swims (all ages - swimmers must be continuously swimming lengths) and adult/lane swims (2 lanes for swimming lengths, 1 open lane - youth may attend but must swim lengths). For the fall session this facility will also offer an older adult swim (50+ yrs) which is a new swim not currently offered at either of the existing two pools. The pool schedules will commence with the opening of the facility on September 2nd. 5.6 From the facility opening through to the start of programs there will be a number of opportunities for the community to view the facility and try a class at no cost. From September 6th to September 18th the Community Services Department will be promoting a sampling of fall programs to encourage participation in the fall session. 6.0 OFFICIAL OPENING 6.1 The facility's Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008. As details regarding the official ceremonies and the day's program and activities are confirmed, Council will be advised. 6.2 Staff will be working with the Newcastle BIA to coordinate activities to complement Newcastle's Fall Festival that same weekend, which attracts up to 4,000 people annually. Staff look forward to planning a great community event, which will surely be well attended with the added volume of people in the area for the Newcastle Fall Festival. 7.0 COMMENTS 7.1 Prior to the opening of the building to the public, a site tour will be scheduled for members of Council. Details will be forwarded when they are confirmed. 7.2 Although the project has been challenged by a number of factors, staff continue to work diligently to stay within the approved project budget.