Prince Albert Daily Herald
The site of the new indoor recreation centre, and 4,500 seat arena. Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
Prince Albert city council has awarded the contract to design a new WHL-size arena to BBB Architects and KSA Architects of Toronto and Saskatoon, despite concerns from at least one councillor that the process was not open or transparent.
Council voted 6-3 in favour of BBB and KSA, the firm city administrators recommended as the top bid out of the 14 received after the City put out call for proposals. The contract will cost the City an estimated $3.2-million.
Couns. Tony Head, Charlene Miller and Terra Lennox-Zepp all voted against the project. Head was the decision’s most vocal critic. He said more consideration should have been given to local companies when awarding the design, and argued administration favoured certain companies over others instead of providing an objective review.
As the Rose Garden Hospice is just over $2.6 million of their $4 million goal towards a new facility, every donation brings them one step closer to getting shovels in the ground.
Don Daschuk, who is a board member and head of the building committee, said they want to start constructions as soon as the ground thaws.
He explained, what has been a 12-year journey for him, seeing this project come together over the years has been emotional at times.
“I did not realize this project would be so challenging. Every time we seem we’re getting close the goal post seems to move on us,” Daschuk said. “This time of COVID has really thrown some curves at us. I guess it’s a testament to everybody here that we’re sticking with it.”
Prince Albert hospice plans cut 'down to the barebones' after spike in building costs saskatoon.ctvnews.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from saskatoon.ctvnews.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.