Quesnel, B.C. -The first  cost estimate for the  West Fraser Centre (North Cariboo Arena replacement project)  is more than $5 million  dollars higher than the  budget.

The first  Quantity Survey, a cost estimate for the project based on the schematic design to date, pegs the price  for the  project at $22.4 million.  The original project  budget is $17 million.

This estimate was based on  the very initial  designs  for the  Centre,  and there  will be  three more  estimates  developed  as the  design process  moves forward.  The  most  reliable  estimate  will come when actual construction drawings have been produced.

The architecture firm for this project, CEI Architecture, responded to the QS by presenting cost-saving options that include ways to downscale the area of the building, the possibility of placing the new arena on the footprint of the existing arena (which would involve the loss of a season for the user groups), and reducing the architectural quality.

As a result of this information received in the current QS report, the North Cariboo Joint Committee endorsed the following recommendations:

1. Stay the course, and proceed with the next steps of the project, which is to complete the design development phase and undertake another cost analysis in February. There will be three more project cost estimates presented to the public, with the final estimate being based on the actual construction drawings expected in the coming months and much more accurate than the current report.
2. To hire an owner’s representative consultant to ensure that the next stage of the project (design development phase) and costing, proceeds as quickly as possible. This stage should be completed in February.
3. To prepare a submission to the Federal Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund in an attempt to secure federal dollars for the project ($6 million).
4. To re-evaluate the project schedule in early 2015 to determine whether it is still feasible to tender the project in 2015 or if it is necessary to consider the option of tendering the project in early 2016.

“Although this initial Quantity Survey came in high, the North Cariboo Joint Committee remains committed to this project” says Cariboo Regional District Vice Chair  Ted Armstrong.  He says he remains optimistic the cost estimates will be more in line with the budget  once the design phase is complete.

“The West Fraser Centre is a community project first and foremost”, says Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson. “We all need to work together to ensure that this project proceeds and results in a facility we can all be proud of.”