High humidity paused arena floor installation

DRAYTON – There has been a slight setback to upgrading the floor and refrigeration system at Drayton’s PMD arena. 

Ball Construction is responsible for the work, which is set to cost about $2.8 million.

The expected three-week delay won’t impact the cost, which includes new dasher boards and glass, vertical netting and staircase improvements.  

Design and engineering began early this year, and  physical construciton began once the ice was removed in April. 

“Site works were progressing well with a number of major milestones achieved,” including demolishing the existing infrastrucutre, removing the existing concrete slab and piping and preparing to pour a new concrete slab, states a June 14 township report.  

But on June 30,  high humidity changed conditions rapidly, creating an unsafe working environment and leading to the decision to put off finishing the concrete pour, the report continues. 

“As a result, additional remedial work is required to prepare the site for a revised concrete placement, which is currently anticipated for early August. 

“The necessary remediation activities are expected to take approximately six weeks to complete,” the report continues. 

Township officials say, “While these unforeseen circumstances have impacted the construction schedule, the project team has worked collaboratively to review the remaining construction sequence and identify opportunities to recover lost time.

“Through revised scheduling, overlapping work where appropriate, and other construction efficiencies, the general contractor has reduced the overall schedule impact from approximately six weeks to an estimated three-week extension to the project completion date.” 

The project is on track to be completed and ready by September, officials say.