Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Oct 04/04) - Tenders for construction of a new pool and day care in Fort Smith have come in $2 million over budget.

"I'm not very happy," Mayor Peter Martselos says.

Council allocated $3,450,000 for the project -- $3 million for the pool and $450,000 for the separate day care building.

However, when the bids were received on Sept. 27, CAB Construction Ltd. of Fort Smith bid $5,529,375 and Dowland Contracting Ltd. of Yellowknife bid $5,549,590.

Council rejected both bids at its Sept. 28 meeting.

However, Martselos says the project is still alive. "Absolutely, it's not dead."

The mayor says council may now have to go back to ratepayers for more money.

Martselos added, the town definitely needs a new swimming pool. "There's no question about it," he said.

Last year, ratepayers approved $2.5 million for the pool project. The $450,000 for the daycare, which is to replace a building destroyed by fire last year, is coming from an insurance policy.

Showing its age

The existing pool is 27-years-old and is only open during the summer months.

"It's definitely showing its age," says community member Lauraine Armstrong, who has served on various committees promoting a new pool.

Armstrong says it is one of the most heavily used recreation facilities in Fort Smith.