Town to proceed with arena addition after all

Town council has decided to proceed with an addition at Centre 2000 after all.

Citing an expected cost overrun of $182,409, Mayor Rod Finnie had suggested the project was in jeopardy.

But last week council agreed to proceed with the addition, which in­cludes larger dressing rooms, more storage and a space for an East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) food bank.

Council awarded the tender  for $1,234,441 to Kiwi Newton Construction, which was the lowest of four proposals re­ceived.

However, councillors also stipulated they would meet with Kiwi Newton officials, town staff and EWCS personnel to find some savings.

Finnie noted a particular concern is the EWCS food bank portion, which was originally estimated to cost $126,000 but came in at $230,000.

Previously town officials had planned to pay for the addi­tion with $662,166 from a Rec­reational Infrastructure Can­­ada (RInC) grant and $331,084 from the hydro proceeds reserves.

There was no mention of from where any additional funds would come.

 

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