Crews clearing space to make room for Veiner expansion
An official ceremony on May 2 marked the start of major renovations and expansion of the Veiner Centre, and on-site there is evidence of work underway.
A high fence around the entire property is wrapped in cloth. It was possible Friday to see work commencing on the removal of about 25 trees to make way for construction. The city will replace those trees with 75 new ones, according to a city document.
Graham Construction is the contractor for the $9.67million construction project, which will see 1,400 square metres (about 13,000 square feet) of remediated space on the main floor of the existing building and the closure of the basement. The eastern half of the existing structure will be demolished and replaced. There will be a total of 600 square metres (5,600 square feet) added and a whole new entrance positioned in the middle of the length of the building.
The centre is expected to reopen in the summer of 2018.
The Veiner Centre was badly damaged during the flood of 2013 and has been unusable since.
The entire $11.6-million budget for this transformation to the existing Veiner Centre was approved by council in February 2016. This budget includes $1,325,770 for design/project management/testing and $400,000 for furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
A revised plan to build a new facility at the corner of College Avenue and Primrose Drive at a cost of $15.6 million was turned down by council in favour of renovating the existing building.