The Regional Recreation Centre project is making substantial progress and is on time and on budget, in accordance with Council’s revised budget and time table set March 4, 2010.  

Tenders for excavation and backfill of the pool and basement area have been received and a decision is expected shortly. A site service tender package will be released early next week, and other tenders will follow over the next few weeks.

More than 130 contractors have been prequalified for the project, covering 19 trade packages, from roofing and carpentry to painting and paving. Local skilled trades people interested in opportunities with the recreation centre project are encouraged to view the list of prequalified contractors on the City’s Web site, at www.owensound.ca, and contact them directly.

The Regional Recreation Centre, to include a double ice pad, aquatic centre and fitness and health facilities, is designed with environmental sustainability in mind, using the most up to date energy conservation and environmentally friendly construction practices.

A waste-heat recovery system, for example, will use energy from the ice refrigeration plant to heat the pool, pre-heat water for showers and provide space heating. The facility will feature high insulation values, water conservation measures, energy-efficient lighting and a highly reflective roof capable of future solar panel installation.

Regional Recreation Centre officials have been meeting with representatives of all levels of government to advocate that the project receives the full funding allotted to it ($21.7 million) through the Build Canada Fund.  This communication will continue with regular monthly progress briefings provided to politicians and officials in all involved orders of government.