Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of North Bay has awarded a progressive design-build contract to EllisDon to provide project development services for a progressive design build of a new community centre and twin pad arena. The target for completion of construction is the end of December 2025.
Once the preferred design concept has been selected, the process will involve further refinement, including generating cost estimates with value engineering options, prior to a public meeting to gather feedback to be used to help inform the actual form, size, character, and design details.
“The approval of the contract with EllisDon marks an important step forward in realizing our vision for a modern, inclusive Community and Recreation Centre,” Coun. Lana Mitchell, chair of infrastructure and operations committee.
Negotiations for a guaranteed maximum construction price will take place next, followed by the completion of design, including drawings and specifications before a finalized design and price will be presented to council.
Council has set a target of $60 million for the project, which will be designed to meet the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Design Standard.
Funding totalling $25.78 million has been announced for the project, under the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
The new facility will replace the aging West Ferris Arena and will be situated at the Steve Omischl Sports Field Complex on Lakeshore Drive. This new facility would ensure current recreational services are maintained within an upgraded and modernized setting and include an additional ice pad to augment the existing inventory.
A previously proposed trident design for the project has been set aside due to the lowest bid received in response to an earlier RFP for a traditional fixed-priced contract, which amounted to about $70 million.
Key features:
- two standard hockey size rinks
- walking-running track
- fully accessible building
- warm spectator viewing areas
- transit pick-up and drop-off location at main entrance
- community room/meeting space
- total of 14 barrier-free team change rooms, including eight capable of converting into four enlarged change rooms
- 433 parking spaces
- bus Parking spaces