Edson town council has approved the submission of a cost-effective concept design for a grant application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program without the gymnasium program area.
Town officials note, however, that although the gymnasium space will not be a part of the grant application, council has directed that it still be a part of the final design and tendering process. Officials say this will allow flexibility once the tender process is started if final costs become prohibitive.
At the December 13, 2022 regular meeting of council, a resolution was passed to approve the cost-effective concept design option for the YCE Multiplex, which included a new aquatics centre, one new ice surface, the conversion of Memorial Arena to a curling rink facility, upgrading the existing Centennial Arena, and allowing for the addition of a new gym space and walking track on the front of the existing structure. Council further directed administration to continue investigating options to include a second new ice arena.
Following this direction from council, administration submitted a draft amended grant application to Government of Alberta ICIP representatives, with the preferred concept design and project costing, for review and feedback. Town officials say the representatives recommended the removal of the gymnasium component of the application, as the current costing projections exceed the $70 million budget. By including this component, officials say both municipalities would be obliged to include the gymnasium in the final project regardless of tender results, and would therefore not have the option of eliminating this program area if tenders came in significantly over budget.
On another note, Yellowhead County council approved moving ahead with a joint application with the Town of Edson for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant for $20 million in federal funding for the YCE Multiplex. Although the gymnasium component will be part of the plans for the final design and tendering process, say Town officials, it will not be part of the federal funding application. This is hoped to allow for flexibility once the tender process is started if the final costs are prohibitive.
