City Celebrates Start of Multiplex Construction
Thursday, November 27, 2008 3:17:00 PM
Construction on the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex has begun!
A groundbreaking ceremony was held today to mark the start of work on the complex. Excavation activity began on Nov. 17 and this part of the project is expected to take up to three months. Opening of the facility is pegged at September 2011.
“It’s an historic day,” says Mayor Dwight Logan. “This groundbreaking represents the largest project we’ve ever undertaken as a municipality, and are likely to for years to come. People are excited to see the doors opening and the time to completion can’t come soon enough.”
Wright Construction Western Inc. of Saskatoon was awarded the tender for $98,179,295. Total cost of the venue is $109.6 million.
“This multiplex will have something for residents and visitors of all ages and capabilities year round,” says Mayor Logan. “It will be fully accessible and add to the quality of life in our community and region while providing economic development opportunity by attracting people to our City. It will definitely provide a great reason for people to stop overnight on their way somewhere else.”
The multiplex will be part of the Community Knowledge Campus (CKC) and connect to the Coca-Cola Centre, the Gymniks building and St. Joseph High School at 68th Ave. and Wapiti Road.
“There are already enquiries about memberships and people are amazed at everything we will be able to provide under one roof,” says Felix Seiler, Manager of Recreation and Community Development. “There is a real appreciate for the forethought that went into the CKC site. This facility will put us on the map in many ways.”
Features of the multiplex include a 54-metre pool, a 25-metre program pool, a Flow Rider surfing attraction, a water park, water slides, including an adventure river feature, springboard diving, four squash/racquetball courts, a multipurpose field house, a fitness area, a restaurant, a running track and several leasable spaces suitable for retail, food services, or other paramedical practitioners. The RCMP will have an office location in the facility.
