Cambridge will move to the next stage in planning for a multi-use recreation complex in the city's south end after council approved the design development process Tuesday.
The vote sets the stage for the city to begin the search for design architects for the new Cambridge Recreation Complex and Idea Exchange library facility, one of two buildings in the 32.5 acre, joint-use, community hub to be constructed at the south end of the city.
The complex will house a 10-lane, 25 metre swimming pool and warm water leisure pool, gymnasiums, running track and multi-purpose rooms and a branch of the Cambridge Public Library.
The City of Cambridge plans to issue an RFQ as soon as possible to procure two concepts of graduated value and undertake public consultation. The concept design and budget will be approved by council before moving to detailed design, currently scheduled to take place in 2023.
“This is an essential space that will serve as a true community hub, where people can connect, learn and grow. It’s about wellbeing and building an overall sense of community,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry in a press release. “This is an incredible partnership and investing in spaces like this are key to building a thriving, healthy and prosperous city for all.”
“We’re excited to see the project moving forward with the design team,” said Helen Kelly, Idea Exchange CEO. “The new Idea Exchange location in a shared facility will serve as a welcoming and vibrant community destination for the Southeast Galt residents."
Earlier budget estimates pegged the cost of the new facility at around $60 million, but recent price volatility for materials and labour has led the city to temper expectations for all of its major projects.
In its press release about the moving to the design procurement stage for the new facility, the city cautioned that "municipalities all over Ontario are experiencing construction market price volatility brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues and world events."
The Statistics Canada Construction Cost Index indicates a 15.3 per cent increase from Q4 2020 to Q4 2021.
"These trends are especially impactful to large-scale developments such as the Cambridge Recreation Complex and Idea Exchange library facility and have resulted in timing and budget challenges for the project."
The city says its project leaders are "committed to a staged and flexible approach to advance the facility to the design development stage — with cost containment measures prioritized to respond to the volatile market."
For more information on the Cambridge Recreation Complex project milestones please visit www.cambridge.ca/reccomplex.
