It will cost three times more than expected to replace the Pla-Mor Palace’s hot water system, although it will cost less than half to replace a similar system at the Kinsmen Sportsplex.
The parks and recreation department initially thought last year that it would cost $160,000 to upgrade both hot water systems, or $80,000 each. However, last December the department determined $160,000 would not be enough to complete both projects, according to a report from city administration.
A consultant was hired earlier this year to determine the updated requirements for the project and create new drawings. After new tenders were received by late June, the parks department realized the costs would be higher than budgeted.
The updated cost to replace the Sportsplex’s hot water system is now $32,725 including taxes and overhead, while upgrades to the Pla-Mor’s system are now $236,315 including taxes and overhead. This brings the total project to $269,040.
Money will be spent to replace the Sportsplex’s system immediately, while about $100,000 will be carried over for the future replacement of the Pla-Mor Palace’s hot water system, the report added. This means an additional $136,315 will be required from other project savings and new budget requests.
During city council’s July 8 regular meeting, council voted 5-1 to spend $32,725 to fix the Sportsplex’s hot water system, with the remaining funds to be carried forward for the future upgrade at the Pla-More Palace.
Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed. Coun. Chris Warren left the room due to a conflict of interest.
Council discussion
The cost to fix the boiler at Pla-Mor increased so much since the consultant determined the boilers there were no longer being manufactured and did not meet requirements, operations manager Cory Oakes told Coun. Scott McMann. This proposed system is a Cadillac compared to what the parks department was originally going to pursue; there was no in-between option.
The cost to fix the Kinsmen system was originally $68,000, but after the boilers failed in January, management had to replace part of it to keep it running, Oakes told Swanson. The additional $32,000 will complete the project.
The department was originally going to find a heating system that didn’t use water tanks, but the new system for Pla-Mor will still allow management to achieve energy efficiencies by using those tanks, Oakes continued. It will simply be the mechanisms and control systems that are replaced.
Swanson criticized the cost of replacing the boilers, pointing out similar increases happened for the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre’s marquee sign and frame. He was frustrated that council simply delayed projects instead of cutting them outright. It usually finds money for other projects, but he thought there wasn’t enough to fix the cast iron pipes underground.
“It does come down to priorities … , “ Swanson continued. “It just seems that’s how it works in government. Costs can go up 50 per cent and (the reaction is), ‘Oh well.’”
Council has been tackling infrastructure issues the last three years and directing almost all available provincial and federal money to the cast iron replacement project, said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. City administration has looked for innovative ways to continue this project; this is the first year underground pipes have been relined instead of dug up.
However, it’s important to upgrade recreational buildings and subsidize some programs so residents from all socioeconomic backgrounds can enjoy them, he added. It is council’s responsibility to build a stronger community by giving everyone the opportunity to swim, dance, skate, or use a sports field.
The next regular council meeting is July 22.
