North Bay selects Ellis Don to design, build new recreation centre
The City of North Bay says it has chosen EllisDon Corp. as the design-builder for the new community and recreation Centre project with a contract of approximately $2.6 million for the provision of project development services.
“The approval of the contract with EllisDon marks an important step forward in realizing our vision for a modern, inclusive community and recreation centre,” said councillor Lana Mitchell, chair of infrastructure and operations.
This initial phase of the progressive design-build process is aimed at achieving early alignment on cost, schedule, and functional program, paving the way for council to select a preferred design concept, the city says.
Once the municipal government chooses the design, the process will involve further refinement, including cost estimates with value engineering options, prior to a public meeting to gather feedback the city will use to inform the actual shape, size, character, and other design details.
Negotiations for a guaranteed maximum price will take place next, followed by the completion of design documents, including drawings and specifications. Once this stage is complete, a finalized design and price will be presented to council for approval. The target for completion of construction is the end of December 2025.
“While a target price of approximately $60 million has been set for the project, council's objective with the progressive design-build approach is to deliver a new community and recreation centre at the most competitive price possible,” Mitchell said.
The new centre will be situated at the Steve Omischl Sports Field Complex on Lakeshore Drive. It will maintain current recreational services within an upgraded and modernized setting, while providing an additional ice pad to augment the existing inventory.
The project has secured approval for $25.78 million under the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program and will meet the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Design Standard.