Ontario Construction News staff writer
Sudbury’s Junction East project passed its final approval milestone with council approving the conceptual design, business plan, operational model and financial plan for the new cultural campus. The project will now proceed to the detailed design and construction phases.
The building design, presented by staff on May 3 followed almost 18 months of work by the project team and the most extensive engagement process in the City’s history.
“This facility will showcase a contemporary esthetic with unprecedented levels of sustainable facility design, collaboration, accessibility, and inclusion,” said Mayor
Staff will continue to work with the design team to develop the tender documents and detailed drawings necessary to issue a Construction Tender in the first quarter of 2023. The tender will be issued to the pre-qualified constructors.”
Originally presented to council in 2015 as two separate projects by the Greater Sudbury Public Library and the Art Gallery of Sudbury, staff was directed to work with both groups on a potential shared facility.
The project, an iconic downtown facility is being built on one of the most prominent sites in Greater Sudbury. The base building construction cost estimate has been revised to $81.6 million and the total project cost stands at $98.5 million.
The building design, titled “The Journey” was created by the design team led by WZMH Architects. Since 2017, the building has grown from 92,700 sq. ft. to approximately 102,000 sq. ft. in the current recommended design.