Delays force cost of new pool complex in Dorval to jump $1.1 million.

Anticipated centre will end up being about $1.1 million more than predicted

Due to bureaucratic delays and some added work charges, Dorval has approved about $1 million extra for its much anticipated sportsaquatic complex being built next to École secondaire Dorval Jean XXIII on Dawson Ave.

Last week, city council agreed to pay about $1.1 million for additional costs arising from winter conditions and a change of orders submitted by its architects to deal with the construction of the sports and aquatic complex.

“It was four or five months before we got the okay (from the province).”

MAYOR EDGAR ROULEAU

A year ago, the city awarded a $18.9-million construction contract to build its new sports complex, which will feature a 25-metre eightlane pool, a water slide, a wading pool, locker rooms, a double gymnasium with bleachers and a multi-purpose room.

Mayor Edgar Rouleau said construction was delayed due mainly to some paperwork related to a provincial grant of about $5 million.

“When you get a grant, there’s all kinds of paperwork. It was four or five months before we got the okay (from the province),” he said. “We were supposed to start in March (2013) but we only started in August.

“Our contractor, who was supposed to start in March, was ready to go. Then we said, ‘No, we’re still waiting for paperwork from the minister.’ That’s what caused it. Instead of digging and doing lot of the work in the summer, we ended up doing it in the winter. The winter work is extra.”

So far, a section of the complex housing the gym and front entrance has been partially completed.

The mayor noted an underground water flow, located below the area set for the new pool, must still be dealt with.

“We still don’t know the final outcome of it,” Rouleau said of the underground water. “We hired some specialists to do tests, to evaluate the situation.”

The mayor said although the city knew there were underground streams in the territory, it is hard to predict the volume.

“We got a little more water than expected but we knew there was going to be water. Jean XXIII and St. Veronica church have underground rivers there,” he added.

In general, theses delays have postponed the opening of the sports-aquatic complex until early next year.