Washrooms adding to cost of West Kelowna soccer dome
The cost for West Kelowna’s indoor soccer dome is rising because city ofÀcials didn’t realize the facility would need bathrooms. More public money will likely be needed for the project, already budgeted at $3.8 million, city councillors were to hear on Tuesday. Although the proposal dates back several years, city officials didn’t realize until late November that the soccer dome would need to include eight public washrooms according to the BC Building Code. “This requirement was not Áagged when the preliminary budget estimate for the construction of a multi-sports facility was completed, due to the lack of a conceptual design, or full review of speciÀcations and requirements of bylaw, codes, etc.,” reads part of a report to council from parks planner Mark Roberts, engineering chief Allen Fillion, and parks manager Bob Kusch. The trio say it’s not yet known how much extra it will cost to include eight washrooms, but that information will provided later to council. “Because of the unanticipated washroom requirement, the design team are currently exploring designs and costing implications, however additional funding may be required once design and construction costs are properly accounted,” the report to council states. Based on the dome’s design, its maximum capacity would be 150 people. Reducing the scope of the structure so it would only accommodate 75 people would mean only one fewer washroom would be necessary, the report says. A tender for the project will soon be issued. In 2016, the Westside Youth Soccer Association received a provincial grant of $670,000 for the indoor soccer dome project. There were once hopes the project might be built for $1.5 million, but construction estimates have steadily increased. Last year, city council dropped other planned recreation projects in West Kelowna to free up money needed for the soccer dome. It will allow the 1,300 members of the soccer association to play the game year round.