The opening of the Orillia Recreation Centre has been delayed - again.
The long-anticipated multi-use recreation facility was originally planned to open in the fall of 2018.
For a variety of reasons, that date was delayed last year and a new opening date of June, 2019 was targeted.
However, due to weather issues and other challenges, OrilliaMatters has learned the $54.5 million facility at 255 West St. S. will not be open until much later this summer.
“The weather has pushed us back,” said Kent Guptill, the city’s director of facilities and special projects. “The opening now will be later in the summer.”
When pressed for a firm date, Guptill said he could not pinpoint it definitively.
“We will know more at the beginning of May,” he told OrilliaMatters. There are “a couple of milestones (that) need completion first” before that date can be determined.
Coun. Tim Lauer pulled a routine council information package (CIP) from the recreation centre project team that was included in the March 21 meeting documents to be placed on the agenda of Monday night’s council meeting.
He said his intention for pulling the document, for potentially opening up the issue for discussion, was to get clarity on the opening date.
“I … was looking for a little bit firmer date when the opening might occur as that is one of the most asked questions these days,” Lauer said Monday night.
However, he didn’t seek more information, noting he has “since found out staff is working on that … and we’re going to have a little more scientific answer” soon.
There was no other discussion about the project or the report.
The CIP did provide an update on the massive project.
According to the CIP, the following work is ongoing:
- Plumbing, heating and electrical installations continue on all levels;
- The elevator has been delivered on site and the components of the elevator are being installed;
- The framing above the pool is insulated, nailing strips are installed and the installation of the wood paneling has commenced;
- Exterior brick installation on the south wall of the pool area has commenced;
- Interior block walls are being installed in the fitness change room and the pool viewing deck and are approximately 80% complete;
- Windows on the east and south walls of the pool area are installed;
- Framing to receive the windows is being installed on the north wall above the gymnasium and is approximately 75% complete;
- Interior stairway walls near the fitness area are nearing completion;
- The installation of electrical and communications conduits continues on all levels;
- Continued installation of piping for therapy, leisure and lap pool;
- The sprinklers are installed in the ceiling of the pool area and ready for ceiling panel installations;
- The fibre optics communication cable has been installed and
- The installation of lockers has commenced in the pool area change rooms.
The report noted there is also still some site work to be completed.
“There’s still some fill to import from the city’s property on University Avenue,” noted the report. This fill will be used to finish the property grading on the west side of the building.
Preparations are being made for the construction of two retaining walls on the west side of the building.
The staff report also provided an update on the change orders to date. A change order means a variation from the expected work that was laid out in the tender documents.
To date, 172 change orders have been approved for various site works as the result of sub-surface soil conditions and building design co-ordination modifications.
“The changes include both credits for removal of work and additions for work not specified in the tender documentation,” noted the report to council.
The current value of all changes to date is $2,402,480.88 of the $3,485,000 total available for contingency.
According to the report, the following milestones are being tracked for completion within the next two months.
- A pool basin leak test (Test 1 of 3) will take place;
- The elevator installation will be complete;
- Telephone and data cable installation will begin;
- Installation of most windows will be completed;
- All exterior walls will receive brick veneer;
- Wood ceiling over the pool area including all heating ventilation and air conditioning ductwork will be complete;
- All work over the ceiling of the pools will be complete and the staging that protects the pools will be removed so that finishing details can be applied to the pool;
- Final site grading on west side of the property; and
- Installation of all stairways.
