Pelham embarks on largest single capital project in town’s history

Kitchener, Ont.-based Ball Construction is targeting June 2018 for completion of the Pelham Community Centre, the largest single capital project in the history of the town located in the heart of Niagara Region.

Pelham council made the landmark decision, more than 25 years in the making, to approve construction of the facility at a special meeting in April 2016.

An outside review conducted in 2014 found that the existing arena had passed its useful lifespan.

Designed by Markham’s Petroff Partnership Architects, the new centre is being constructed at Rice Road and Hwy. 20 in East Fonthill. It includes adaptable and multi-purpose community rooms, a double gymnasium, indoor walking/running track, double arena, change rooms and washrooms, community gathering spaces, integration with a public square and full accessibility.

Construction costs are estimated at $32 million. Key building materials are masonry and brick, precast concrete and metal panels.

The design was fine-tuned in consultation with a council-appointed architectural design advisory committee. Ball was engaged as construction manager early in the process to review and refine the design and establish a realistic budget.

The project team includes structural engineers Blackwell, mechanical engineers MNE Engineering Inc., electrical engineers Quartek Group Inc. and landscape architects The Planning Partnership.

Key subtrades are Ecco Electric Ltd., Dordan Mechanical Inc. and ACL Steel Ltd.

Mechanical and electrical subcontractors were pre-screened by Ball during the request for proposals process in order to facilitate a cost-effective solution.

In advance of construction, cost-effective structural systems were developed for the bleachers and long spans over the rinks and gyms.

Excavation on the greenfield site started in mid-November of last year. Currently, the steel superstructure is being erected.

Ball said construction has not posed any particular challenges to date.

In a posting on its website, the town said public facilities "help form the backbone" of small communities. The town’s population is just over 17,000.

Plans for construction of the new centre had the support of both residents and the local business community, including such organizations as the Niagara Haldimand Building and Construction Trades Council.