Cost of ice rink phase of Civic Esplanade project balloons to $15M

The costto build the first phase of thedowntown Windsor Civic Esplanade projecthas ballooned from $9.3 million to $15 million.

Phase 1 includes replacing the outdoor ice rink at Charles Clark Square, which closed in 2022, with a nearly Olympic-sized oval ice rink on the north side of the city hall building.

The centre of the rink will contain an island that can be decorated in winter months and used as afountain or splash padthe rest of the year.

The overall plan, which will roll out in five phases,will transform the area between City Hall and the Detroit River, with hopes of drawing more people into the city's core as council pushes to revitalize downtown Windsor.

City council will be asked on Monday to addanother $6 millionthe thepreviously approved $9.3-million budget as part of a late addition to the council agenda package released on Friday.

The $15 million pricetag for phase 1 represents half of theestimated $30-millioncost ofthe five-phase master plan, which council approved last year.

The staff report was not part of the initial agenda package posted on the city's website May 17.

This budget would also coverthe costs of a nearby building to store an ice resurfacer, equipment related to the rink and accessible bathrooms.

There will also be a pavilion with outdoor furniture.

Budget jumps as contractor warns against delays

The initial cost estimates were $4 million in 2022 for a basic rink with a small building but that jumpedto $9.3 million after council endorsed "a more impactful and detailed design" in 2023.

Administration is also warning that without immediate approval, the rink may not be ready in time for this upcoming winter season.

Oscar Construction Company Limited submitted the lowest bid on the project, at$12.8 million.

Sterling Ridge General Contracting Inc. said it they could do it at a cost of $13.3 million.

Administration wrote in its report that through negotiations and changes to the original scope of the contract, they were able to cut costs by $1.1 million.

The report does not highlight any specific reasons for the project coming in above last year's estimate but does notematerial shortages and shortages in skilled labour and contractor availability.

The report said that staff will look for sponsorship and grant funding to reduce costs.

It also points out that the number of weeks outdoor skating is available in Windsor is decreasing because of warming winter temperatures.

The two city-operated outdoor rinks last about 13.4 weeks on averageaccording to administration, down nearly three weeks over the 14-year stretch of data officials reviewed.