Ontario Construction News staff writer
A $15 million ice rink is under construction outside Windsor City Hall, with a goal of opening for skating this winter.
It’s the first part of a five-phase civic esplanade project that will reshape the area between city hall and the Detroit River.
Council narrowly approved construction in June with opposition due to the $6 million price jump – four times as much as the projected cost estimate two years ago. Mayor Drew Dilkens broke a tie vote, noting more than $500,000 has been spent on planning, drawings, and engineering behind the project.
The project includes an outdoor ice rink, gathering space and water feature. It was designed by MJMA Ltd.
Oscar Construction Company Ltd. was awarded the contract to build the rink.
The new space includes washrooms, additional infrastructure to host future events, the possibility for food trucks, and a water feature on the rink’s island for summer use — all things that contributed to the project’s increased cost.