Cost of downtown plaza to rise by $1.4 million

Change orders and supply-chain delays have increased project costs

Early design rendering of Sault Ste. Marie's downtown plazaSupplied image

Sault Ste. Marie city council will be asked Monday to add additional funds to the downtown plaza budget.

Tom Vair, the city's deputy chief administrative officer for community development and enterprise services, will ask councillors to approve an increase of $1.4 million for the project, bringing the total budget to $11.6 million.

"Since approval, staff have been working with the consulting team from Brook McIlroy and the general contractor, Avery Construction, on project construction," says Vair in a report prepared for Monday's city council meeting.

"As with any capital construction project, there have been change orders to accommodate for unexpected items and some expenses have come under initial estimates."

"Staff have been working closely with the consultants and general contractor to minimize the impact of change orders and identify any opportunity for savings."

"There have been a number of delays experienced related to supply-chain issues and the availability of resources for the project. The most significant delay was the availability of equipment and materials for the outdoor rink feature."

"These supply-chain issues have delayed the ability to pour the rink until the spring timeframe when the frost is out of the ground."

"Other delays impacted the project schedule and necessitated pouring of some concrete elements into the winter months which requires additional heating and hoarding costs to be incurred (estimated to be up to $103,009)," Vair says.

"Staff are requesting additional funds to cover costs associated with the project delays, heating and hoarding requirements and provide additional contingency to see the project through to completion."

"Staff recommend utilizing $660,000 which is being returned to the asset management reserve (due to Mill Market’s funding approved in principle) and $675,000 from a capital budget amendment to postpone the Bellevue ‘A’ Dock replacement to a future year."

Monday's city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.