An expansion of the Victoria Park Seniors’ Centre will cost about $450,000 more than Centre Wellington council had anticipated.
Centre Wellington council approved a project cost of $1,345,000 at its July 2 meeting here. The price includes the tender received from Dakon Construction Ltd. of $1,211,000 and architect’s fees of $97,000.
Concern about the cost overrun was raised by councillor Walt Visser who called it “so far off base” from what council originally had looked at.
Similar concern was raised by councillor Mary Lloyd.
“We actually approved a $890,000 budget,” Lloyd said. “I’m disturbed it’s another $450,000.”
Both councillors said council should have been kept aware of rising costs for the expansion and renovation of the centre.
Managing director of community services Brian Detzler said the price hike is due to additional work on the project.
The additional work includes a full basement and elevator in the new addition, constructing the new addition to accommodate a second floor in the future if needed, expansion of the kitchen and staff work space in the existing building along with improvements to its foyer to enhance the customer service entrance and access.
“In essence, the original budget estimate did not fully account for these additional attributes of the project,” a report to council stated.
“The design has changed from the original budget,” Detzler told council.
Councillor Fred Morris said he was concerned council’s push to pass its budget at the earliest opportunity caused them to overlook the possibility of cost overruns.
However, Morris added, council efforts to pass its budget early in the year has resulted in the township being able to call tenders on work planned earlier and save taxpayer money.
“In order to get our budget earlier this is one of the chinks in the armour,” Morris said.
“I still think it’s the process,” Visser added. “The people who were doing it (architects and engineers) should have been able to see these things.”
“Once we changed the design the prices are going up,” councillor Steve VanLeeuwen said.
“We’re still getting the best dollar value for the tender we put out,” councillor Kelly Linton said.
“We’re moving forward with a wonderful project,” mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said.
The work is scheduled to be completed by early December.
