Sherwood Park explosion repair could hit $14 million
County approves funds following attack that rocked community centre
Insurance assessors estimate the restoration work required to repair a Sherwood Park complex at the epicentre of twin explosions earlier this month could cost about $14 million.
Strathcona County mayor Rod Frank said Wednesday the county has approved the sum in unbudgeted expenditures to restore the community centre and that it is working with its insurers to recover the full costs.
Frank said the county is moving forward with the restoration process and will be required to pay the costs as bills are due. It could be up to three months before the facility is reopened to the public.
“This is a large incident with many moving pieces, and we are grateful for the high level of professionalism demonstrated by recovery experts and staff,” Frank said.
“We continue to move forward as swiftly, and safely, as possible to return to normal business.”
County policy is to seek council approval for unbudgeted expenditures over $2 million, Frank said in a statement.
The community centre and library, which sit directly over the parkade that was damaged Nov. 6, was more “seriously impacted by the explosions.”
Strathcona County’s administration hub reopened to the public on Nov. 21.
Following the attack, RCMP later confirmed that the first explosion originated underneath a half-ton truck and damaged nine cars parked in the same row.
That caused a second vehicle’s gas tank to explode two stalls away.
The person linked to the explosions, Kane Kosolowsky, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A vehicle belonging to the 21-year-old was found to contain “more than five” registered firearms including hunting rifles, shotguns and handguns.
Police have yet to release what type of explosives were used or the motive for the attack.