Lauren McKeon
Northern News Services
Published Friday, December 19, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Fieldhouse tenders went out last Friday, giving the long-awaited and oft-controversial development another push toward completion.

"What we're hoping for is that shovels will be in the ground sometime in the spring/summer of '09," said city councillor Bob Brooks, a long-time fieldhouse supporter and fieldhouse development committee chair.

The proposals went out to nine companies spanning the territory and neighbouring Alberta. Each of the nine companies had previously said they could do the project at or below the $16 million budgeted.

With the recent approval of the 2009 draft budget, $5 million is included for 2009 costs and $11 million for 2010 costs.

"The first year allows enough money to start the project and get it underway. The bulk of the moneys are paid when the project is finished (in 2010)," said Brooks.

Brooks said previous cost estimates - which ranged from $21 million to $28 million - were too high and did not follow council's direction.

"The only caveat now is when we made the figure of $16 million it was basically a year and a half, two years ago," said Brooks, adding there had been some concern recently the project might go over-budget.

But with the economic slowdown in Alberta, Brooks said competition may spur companies to get costs down to win the contract.

"The more people you have bidding on the project, the more likely it is you're going to get sharper pencils," he added.

The request for proposals asks for companies to do a "design build," which basically means the company that wins the bid will both design and build the fieldhouse, destined to be built on the land to the south of the Multiplex.

The facility calls for two indoor soccer fields, one unobstructed running track as well as two public washrooms, change rooms, office and storage space.

"How (proponents) become innovative in their design is up to them," said Brooks. "We're quite looking forward now to see what kind of proposals come forward."

Other supporters of the facility include Aurora Minor Soccer and Facilities for Kids.

When contacted on Tuesday, Mike Roesch, Facilities for Kids president in Yellowknife, said the group was to meet today to decide what will happen to the organization itself.

"We have been dormant for some time," he said, adding he had worked on the project right up to the RFP going out.

Roesch declined to comment further until the group has met.

As for soccer groups, Brooks said the new facility will free up gym space, which is backlogged and commonly used for soccer groups.

"We're going to have huge openings for every other sporting group, or community groups, or arts group - or whoever would like gym space ... that was never available to them in the past," he said.

Companies may submit proposals up until the end of January. A successful bidder will be chosen by Feb. 27, 2009.