The city of Orillia is poised to break ground this summer on a recreation facility designed to connect the community not only physically through the Lightfoot trail system but also figuratively as a social hub.
To be constructed on a site at 255 West St. South, the project includes an aquatic centre, gymnasiums, multi-purpose rooms, a walking/jogging track, preschool room, office space and a fitness centre.
The construction documentation and tendering phase is slated to be completed in June. A contract is expected to be awarded to a prequalified contractor in July.
The estimated overall budget for the project is $51.6 million. The construction budget is estimated at $42 million.
The project is being undertaken by a team that includes architects MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller, which has designed a number of such multi-use community recreation facilities in the province, structural engineers Blackwell, mechanical-electrical engineers Smith + Andersen, and civil engineers EMC Group Ltd.
A review of the detailed design and initial costing estimates was completed by city staff in early February.
During this process, refinements were made to the design of the interior spaces and the building’s exterior.
A soil management plan, health and safety plan and environmental impact study have been completed.
Kent Guptill, Director of Facilities and Special Projects, said one of the interesting aspects of the project is the fact that it will be constructed on a former brownfield site.
The property was acquired by the city in late 2002.
As of the end of January, 2016 a majority of the site had been cleared of plant material and trees.
The project will incorporate rammed aggregate pier foundations.
"The soil conditions required the soils (to) be consolidated," Guptill said. "Rammed aggregate pier foundations were deemed to be the best and most cost-effective (solution)."
The aquatic facility will accommodate both competitive swim meets and leisure activities. The two FIBA- (International Basketball Federation) sized gymnasiums will seat more than 500.
The 248-metre track will have varying elevations, allowing "hill" cardio workouts.
Guptill said the building has also been designed to house casual community gathering places, thus acting as a social hub in the city.
Ground is expected to be broken in August, he said.
The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2018.
Guptill said construction must carried out in compliance with conditions of the Certificate of Property Use issued by the province’s Ministry of the Environment.
The city of 31,000 is located on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe.
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