The Westlock Rotary Spirit Centre cost more than $19.7 million, according to a report that was presented to town council on Dec. 10.
It is included in the agenda package that regular council meeting, which was posted to the town’s website late last week.
Costs associated with the project fall into 40 general categories. These include specific items such as insurance, structural steel and kitchen equipment, as well as broad categories such as “general conditions,” “specialties” and “various additional costs.”
The largest expenses categories, coming in at more than $1 million each, are site concrete work ($1.1 million), drywall/steel studs/ceilings ($1.1 million), pre-engineering structure ($2.3 million), mechanical ($1.8 million), electrical ($1.8 million), site servicing ($2 million) and engineering/consulting ($1.2 million).
Recipients of the payments are split into five categories: Brenex Contract ($9.9 million), Balon Contract ($6.2 million), Conrad/Bearden/ISL ($1.2 million), Deford ($2 million) and “Other Contracted Services and Suppliers” ($383,000).
The money paid to Balon Construction reflects the costs incurred as part of the initial $12.6-million fixed-price contract the town signed with company.
After the company entered a voluntary receivership in September 2010, the price began to rise despite assurances from mayor Bruce Lennon and CAO Darrell Garceau that neither the price nor the expected completion date of March 31, 2011 would be affected.
In February 2011, the town announced it had sought a court order to terminate the contract with Balon and ultimately hired Brenex Building Corporation as a project manager to get the centre finished.
At that time Lennon confirmed the facility might not open until spring 2012, and in May 2011 council approved borrowing $3 million to finish the project. The facility was eventually opened with much fanfare in June 2012.
Garceau said last month that in the six months since then, town administration has been preparing this final report, in response to both requests from town councillors and from the Westlock News.
“We’re just trying to wrap up and conclude with the financial affairs of the Spirit Centre,” he said.
The Westlock News filed a request for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act on Nov. 16, seeking access to invoices that show the specific expenses incurred in the construction and furnishing of the Spirit Centre.
Carol Revega, the town’s FOIP coordinator, indicated in a letter that the information would be provided within 60 days in accordance with the legislation, since the information is already being prepared for presentation to council.
Garceau said if the report to be presented to council doesn’t provide all the information specified in the request, he will provide it.
The full report can be seen at www.westlock.ca/town-hall/agendas-and-minutes. The town council meeting will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at the town office. It is open to the public.
