Ontario Construction New staff writer
Orillia’s new $55.5 million recreation centre continues to move towards its anticipated opening in the spring of this year, a long journey that started in September 2016 with site preparation work.
When completed, the centre at 255 West Street South will provide residents a mix of activities, ranging from leisure to fitness and a venue for competitive and organized sports, says the City.
When completed, amenities will include a 25-metre, eight-lane lap pool with viewing area, a therapeutic pool, leisure pool with play features, a gymnasium with two FIBA-sized basketball courts and a viewing area, a childcare room, a multi-purpose room, fitness centre including studio fitness room, and a walking/jogging track.
The project is the largest in Orillia’s history. City officials had hoped it would have been ready in time for the Orillia 2020 Ontario Winter Games, which ran from Feb. 27 to March 1, but delays in shipment of material caused back-ups, and a shortage of skilled workers continues to pose a challenge for the project, according to a City press release.
“We will not cut corners and rush the final stages of construction for this once-in-lifetime project that I can assure you will be well worth the wait. The general contractor has struggled to communicate an accurate opening, so until we can get a firm date from the contractor the City is not establishing a specific opening date, but our goal is to have it open by this spring,” said Mayor Clarke.
Orillia council was given an update on Feb. 28 regarding the progress of the construction, that included work in progress:
- Tile and grouting are completed in the pools, pool deck tiling is complete, pool wall tiling continues, north pool viewing area glass has been installed, floor and wall tiling in the pool change rooms is complete
- Some counter tops, faucets, hand dryers and toilets have been installed in both the main and lower level change rooms, mirror installation prep has begun, the installation of the exterior wood soffit is 90 per cent complete with just the NE entrance area to complete, pool timing clock has been installed with final wiring to occur
- Interior painting continues throughout various parts of the building, prep work continues for Phenolic panel installation around the south side track, mechanical work in the lower level pool mechanical room is 95 per cent complete and the system is charged
- Basketball backstops power and controllers have been installed, central focus stairs have been installed, life safety systems installation continues
Site Work:
- Sub drain installation work has commenced at the NE entrance, retaining wall is 75 per cent complete,
- Change Order:
- 260 Change Orders have been approved to date, the changes include both credits for removal of work and additions for work not specified in the tender documentation, the current value of all changes to date is $2,978,380.35 of the $3,485,000 total available for contingency.
The following milestones are being tracked for completion within the next few weeks:
- Pool deck wall tiling, main level change rooms floor and wall tiling/grouting, telephone and data cable installation will be complete, exterior wood soffit installation will be complete at NE entrance, all lighting and electrical circuitry will be complete.
- the gymnasium plywood and wood floor installation will have commenced, final landscaping and site seeding will be completed in 2020, final asphalt for parking lot will be completed in spring 2020, running track surface membrane and fitness centre surface installation will have commenced, pavers at the main entrance will be completed in spring 2020, all interior and exterior doors will be painted and hardware will have been installed
- Ceiling tile installation in various areas will have commenced, railing installation at the west gym viewing area will have commenced, phenolic panel installation on the south side running track area will have commenced, main level concrete floor final pour will be complete, all interior glass will have been installed
- Millwork will have commenced around the main level reception, interior building signage installation will have commenced, commissioning of various building mechanical and pool mechanical systems with have commenced
“With a large construction project such as the recreation centre, there are so many moving parts and we ares bound by the contractor and multiple trades and suppliers. As a thank you to the community for your ongoing support and patience we plan to offer free community appreciation programs and events once the facility opens,” said Ray Merkley, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Department.