|
The Inuvik lesson
Project manager most critical decision, says Mayor Roach
by Richard Gleeson
NNSL (Dec 05/97) - Yellowknife has already made the decision most critical to the success of the proposed twin-pad arena and community centre. Responding to questions from the Yellowknifer, Inuvik mayor George Roach said the most important decision is the selection of a project manager. This past summer Inuvik completed its own new community centre, the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre. "Don't get into the deal we did," said Roach. "Hire your own project manager and make damn sure it isn't the construction company doing the job." Inuvik's rec complex was plagued by ballooning costs. It began as a $2-million project and ended up costing $7 million. The final price tag could get bumped again by more than $250,000 to correct project shortcomings. "It's a fantastic complex, it's great for the community -- we just need to find the money for it," said Roach. The sting of budget overruns was heightened by Inuvik's shrinking tax base. As a regional center, the town was hit hard by the downsizing of the territorial government. Private business was also effected by the government cutbacks. The town paid a Fort McPherson construction firm $180,000 to oversee construction from start to finish. Tetlit'Zheh Construction also happened to be the lead contractor on the project. Yellowknife is following a different route. It has hired Clark Construction of Edmonton to oversee construction of its new twin-pad arena and rec centre. When costs in Inuvik started spiralling, observers named Clark as one of the firms Inuvik should have contracted to oversee its project. The city would not release the value of its contract with Clark, but an official said yesterday that the city is paying just under $900,000 for construction management and architectural services. Park Sanders Adam Vikse Architects Ltd. and Barr and Ryder Architects Ltd. are overseeing the design of the Yellowknife facility. | |||||||||||||