Wasaga Beach Council has awarded a $43.4-million contract to Aquicon Construction Company Ltd. to build the community’s new twin-pad arena and library. Council approved the contract at a special meeting last week.
“This is a tremendous day for Wasaga Beach as we prepare to embark on a building project that will result in a new community gathering space – one that will serve all ages of our population for generations to come,” said Mayor Nina Bifolchi.
“This new space will be a wonderful spot for skills development, competition, sportsmanship, healthy living, learning, and entertainment. We now look forward to watching this building take shape.”
Aquicon, following a pre-qualification process earlier this year, was one of five companies short-listed to bid for the construction contract.
The overall budget for the project is $59,970,306. The construction component of the budget is $44,573,921. Aquicon’s price including HST is $44,245,248.
Colliers Project Leaders are the project managers. MJMA Architecture and Design are the architects.
The municipality’s Construction Steering Group opened the bids on Aug. 25 and identified Aquicon as the preferred builder for the arena and library project. The company’s bid was the lowest of five received by the town. Aquicon will be invited to enter into a stipulated price contract based on the terms of the tender and meeting all the town’s requirements.
Aquicon’s bid falls well in line with the council approved $59-million budget for the project. The town expects Aquicon will start construction this fall with an anticipated completion of work by summer 2023.
“On behalf of council, I want to welcome Aquicon to Wasaga Beach and say we look forward to working with the company as this build progresses,” Mayor Bifolchi said. “I also want to thank everyone who has helped get this important project to this stage, especially the members of our steering group. Our twin-pad arena and library is another great example of how we are moving Wasaga Beach forward.”
Aquicon has built several municipal projects, including the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Lakeshore, the Bostwick Community Centre in London, and the Sherwood Community Centre and Library in Milton. All these facilities feature twin-pad arenas and libraries.
In January 2019, town council identified the twin-pad arena and library project as a priority for this term. The Wasaga Stars Arena, built nearly 50 years ago, is at the end of its lifespan. The library, which opened in 1994, is too small to meet the needs of our growing community. A review, including a community consultation process, determined 544 River Rd. W. as the best site for a new 117,669-square-foot joint-use facility.
When the new complex opens in the summer of 2023, it will include two NHL-size ice surfaces, an indoor walking track, a modern library with proper program space, and meeting rooms.