Number of recreation upgrades to be complete for summer
Several highly-anticipated recreation-related capital projects are slated to wrap up in the coming month in the Town of Coaldale.
With the Town’s successful bid to host the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG) this July, there will be many eyes on the Town’s recreation facilities.
A construction update was presented to Coaldale Council during the April 2 regular meeting. According to Russ Tanner, Director of Recreation and Community Services, “construction is on course to have all components of the build aside from “Integrated System Testing” and minor deficiencies completed by May 1, 2024.
In recent months, installation of the following features have been completed: Installation of the soccer dasher board structure, wall mounted score clocks, basketball hoops. As well, preparation has been completed in anticipation of the flooring installation, continuation of drywall, painting and mechanical finishing work. Projects to be completed in the coming weeks include flooring, the completion of the soccer dasher board system, framing/sheeting and painting, as well as finishing off electrical and plumbing, and millwork.
Tanner said the major structure components are “on course to be completed,” by the beginning of May, but noted an Integrated Systems Testing (IST) will need to be completed before the facility can be deemed operational and accommodate full occupancy.
This will include a complete testing of the life safety systems such as fire alarm and sprinklers, and buildings systems such as cameras, lighting and access control, intrusion systems and air balancing.
. Tanner told council, “the contractor has confirmed that they do not anticipate any issues,” for Town staff to begin the process of moving equipment and materials into the facility on May, but noted the timing of this testing does not yet have a scheduled date., but said, “as we get closer, we will be able to better understand the required timelines with the target being completion as of June 1, 2024,” with staff training and on-boarding expected to commence sometime in May following the completion of IST.
With respect to the Grand Opening, the Town is planning for a soft opening sometime in June, with the facility open for the following uses to the public on June 3, 2024: Spontaneous use of the facility, tentative bookings of the facility, tours.
As well Twisted Steel Fitness will be open for business at this time. A formal grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held as part of the start of the SASG on July 3. According to the Town, this will include a, “large scale celebration in conjunction with the Coaldale Prairie Winds Secondary School opening,” as the building itself is a hybrid facility for the new recreation facility and new high school.
Tanner said administration agreed a soft opening is ideal as it will, “allow for (staff ) to address the things like minor building deficiencies and system or operational deficiencies, and identify other potential hiccups.
“We may not be 100 per cent ready for a large scale celebration in June,” and said the soft opening will provide ample time to solve any minor issues before crowds role in for the SASG from July 3-6.
Although the project previously faced unexpected cost escalations due to supply-chain and building materials shortages during the pandemic, administration said it was anticipated that, “the current Capital and Operational funds to be sufficient to complete the construction project (Capital Funds).” Costs pertaining to the opening ceremonies will be allocated from the existing Community Services Departments operating budget.
Council passed a resolution to approve a soft opening of the facility for June 3rd, 2024 with a ribbon cutting ceremony planned in conjunction with the Southern Alberta Summer Games and work with Palliser School Division on a larger scale event coinciding with the opening of their new school.
The Town also confirmed upgrades to the outdoor pool including the new waterslide are expected to be completed, “well ahead of the pool opening June 3rd,” said Tanner. With several pool upgrades completed in 2023, including the installation of a new PVC Liner, accessibility ramp and new deck furniture, summer 2024 will see the opening of the new waterslide.
Due to supply timelines on slide materials, the installation of the facility’s new waterslide was pushed to 2024. The cost of all upgrades fell within the designated $495,000.00 budget, with $217,500 allocated to the
PVC membrane, $17,700 for deck furniture, and $12,800 for an accessibility Ramp, and $247,000 for the new waterslide.
Council voted unanimously to accept this report as information.