Council adjusts 2010 Captial Budget for two projects

City Council Briefs: From the July 19 meeting

City council approved $2.5 million in additional funding for upgrades to the Plainsmen Arena, July 19.

The 2010 Capital Budget will be amended to increase the Plainsmen Arena upgrades cost to $4 million.

The upgrade will include new lobby access on the east side of the building and new change rooms on the north side.

The old lobby and upstairs will be converted into space for community groups.

In the 2010 capital budget, $1.5 million was budgeted for renewal of the ice refrigeration plant and the entire support infrastructure.

However, upon review, staff recommended that the scope of the work be expanded from the ice plant and support infrastructure to options for improvements to the entire facility.

Radio tower

City council also approved an amendment to the 2010 Capital Budget to increase the new radio tower project cost to $253,000.

The additional $94,000 will be funded from the General Capital reserve.

In 2009, a preliminary quote of $184,000 was provided to replace the existing guy wired radio tower with a new 200-foot freestanding radio tower and communications structure.

A request for proposal was posted and the most complete bid was from ComTech Communication Technologies, which presented a cost of $253,000, leaving the tower underfunded by $94,000.

Rob McLean, of corporate properties at the City, said the additional costs were the result of expanding the size of the communications shelter to incorporate the RCMP communications equipment as well as increased costs for engineering.

“It is necessary to build a new tower site as the guy wires for the current site neutralize approximately 2.5 acres of the 18-acre site,” said McLean. “Part of the re-design is to help alleviate traffic and safety concerns at the recycle centre. The guy wires interfere with plans to move traffic off the site safely.”