Price tag for proposed Transcona pool, rec centre jumps $66M

A major aquatic and recreation facility proposed for Transcona is now expected to cost $155.5 million, with no further updates expected until city council finds a way to pay for it.

The price for the East of the Red RecPlex was previously pegged at $89.2 million, though officials cautioned that number was several years old and estimated before important design work was done.

On Monday, the city revealed the new cost estimate, noting the tab also reflects inflation and a more detailed design, as well as the addition of a daycare with outdoor play space, new green building measures, an outdoor basketball half-court and a larger gym.

The city is now aiming to meet a zero-carbon building design standard to reduce the facility’s emissions.

“The updated cost estimate reflects a more advanced stage of design and planning,” a public consultation document states.

The complex is expected to include an indoor lap pool, a leisure pool, a lazy river, a whirlpool, waterslides, multi-purpose rooms, a community kitchen, gymnasiums, fitness areas, a running track, a child-care centre, a café and a connection to the Transcona Library.

“It’s a fairly large project, which is currently not fully funded (beyond initial planning stages). So, no reporting is going to come back until we figure out how we can support it,” said Coun. Vivian Santos, chairwoman of the community services committee.

Santos (Point Douglas) said the city would likely need to seek provincial and federal support to pay for the project, noting its daycare for up to 74 kids would support provincial goals.

The price hike isn’t really a surprise, since many other construction projects have already surged higher in recent years, she said.

“We’re seeing a lot of other capital projects coming in much, much higher,” said Santos.

She said the city could also consider scaling back the plans, or completing them in phases, if council opts to move forward.

The cost estimate for the facility includes decommissioning Transcona Kinsmen Centennial Pool, which the project would replace, and a new washroom/change room facility that would serve the Transcona Aquatic Park.

When the plans move forward depends on how the project fits against other priorities of city council’s strategic action plan, said Santos.

The latest price estimate is based on construction in 2028.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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