CHESTERMERE – Although it has been plagued with added costs and setbacks, the construction of the John Peake Park Pavilion is set to begin in the coming weeks.
The 40-foot pavilion, which was originally given a budget of just over $200,000 for completion, has far exceeded the initial speculated cost. In May it was presented to council that the budget should be amended and pushed to over $300,000. After some debate, council agreed that it would be best to see the project to completion rather than tossing it out altogether.
This amendment was mostly due to the cost of the top lift of paving, which was estimated to cost around $150,000 rather than the projected $80,000.
At the August 15 meeting, staff presented council with another issue with the pavilion construction. Staff explained that water was discovered laying beneath the ground where the concrete needed to be poured, and that the estimated cost to change the design and add concrete pilings would cost around $20,000.
Council was divided on the issue, but the majority voted in favor of paying the added expense to finish the pavilion and move forward with construction.
Mayor Patricia Matthews admitted that process of completing John Peake Park has been a long one, as the pavilion and its design has been in place since around 2004.
“I think it’s important that people understand that the park is paid for primarily with grant funding,” Matthews said. “The pavilion is entirely paid for with grant funding, including the latest revision that saw an increase in the cost.”
Matthews said that engineering dilemma would have occurred whether the pavilion was built now or in 2005, because none of the planning accounted for the water table that existed where the construction is taking place.
However, now that everything seems to be in the clear, and because all of the materials are set up and ready, it’s just a matter of putting it all together.
“We hoped to have it ready this summer, but mother nature has a mind of her own when it comes to construction, and it’s put off a few projects for us,” she said.
“The cost is above what we expected, but I think the community will be pleased with it.”
Council hopes that the structure will be used for all kinds festivals and performances as well as for varieties of public use. Matthews said that she hopes to see it put to good use, and that some new kinds of events take place there and draws people in.
“If we can plan the events in there and let it be known that this amenity exists, we’ll have people who are looking to use it,” she said. “I think it will be a gorgeous facility and something that we will be known for when it’s done. The lake will be a good backdrop for entertainment.”
Matthews said, “I see (the pavilion) as a great community amenity. It’s been a little rough getting there but sometimes the best projects work out like that, and I’m hoping this will be one of those.”
