The Athabasca Pool Design Committee has decided to push for the six-lane pool design to be integrated with the Athabasca Regional Multiplex to save on both capital and operational costs.
Athabasca County Coun. Warren Griffin, pool design committee member, made an announcement at the county council meeting March 31.
ìThe committee made the decision to recommend the six-lane design,î Griffin said in an interview. ìIt was made so the architects can move the project forward, narrowing the designs, narrowing our costs and getting some things on track.î
After totaling up the 81 comments from the open house on March 10, 30 were in favour of eight lanes while only nine were against ñ but because the smaller pool would still be up to Swim Albertaís swim meet standards, Griffin said eight lanes would be more of a ìwant than a need.î
ìEveryone would like eight lanes, but it come to a matter of practicality and affordability,î he said.
ìIt doesnít mean we canít host a sanctioned (swim meets),î Griffin added.
He said the cost of the project has begun to cause some confusion within the pool design committee. During the open house, the six-lane poolís estimated cost was projected to be $14 million, which included the fitness centre.
The pool level by itself is now estimated at $13.8 million dollars, while the fitness centre is estimated at an additional $1.2-$1.8 million.
ìWhen you do the math it almost $16 million,î Griffin said. ìThereís confusion there and I think thereís some overlap. I think itís because theyíre using very broad costing numbers. When we have a more finite design, then they can actually cost out those items to get a more (accurate) number.
ì(The cost) is not escalating out of control, but it is a little confusing at this time because itís only Step 2 out of 30.î
Griffin also said the architects have brought forward more accurate numbers for construction costs.
With the committee going forward with the six-lane design, the members can do a deep dive into the prices of specific items, such as the water slide, the filtration systems and heating.
ìIf they lock down some of these costs, then yes, we should have a tighter capital construction cost. Also, they should be able to start talking to certain facilities, that use similar equipment, to give us some beginning numbers of operational costs.î
Griffin said that the architects should have more solid construction costs ready for their next pool design committee meeting, which is set for the beginning of May.
ìThey have four weeks to do some of this work,î he said. ìIt wonít all be there at that time, but they said they would hope to have some of it.î
