Price tag could increase for new Maple Leaf Pool

The new Maple Leaf Pool could cost almost $1 million more than the city first thought.

A report from city administration going to the finance and administration committee Wednesday says the procurement process has shown the project is going to cost $880,000 more than the original budget of $4.5 million.

The hope is that council will approve the additional money from the Recreation/Culture Capital Program. Council could give the project the go-ahead at its meeting on Feb. 26.

The new design for the pool was unveiled in October. The initial $4.5-million price tag was approved in the city’s 2020 budget.

While saying the price has increased, administration pointed out the additional money would “allow construction to proceed on the pool design that has been shared with the community.”

The report said if the project didn’t get the additional funding, a redesign of the pool and its support building would be required to stay within the initial budget.

“This approach would require a reduction in the pool size and support building, as well as revisions to facility systems,” the report said.

Administration said altering the plan and going to a smaller pool would reduce the level of service provided by the facility.

Changes also would require a redesign and a restart of the procurement process, which could push the completion date for the pool from the fall of 2020 to the middle of 2021.

And, administration said, revising the designs to lower costs “would have long-term environmental, operating and maintenance impacts.”