MacDonald Island Park finalizes expansion recommendation
26-Jun-12
MacDonald Island Park has finalized its recommendation for its proposed expansion and will present to Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Council on Tuesday, July 10.
The MacDonald Island Park Board of Directors produced its recommendation following its approval of final design and project costing in consultation with Architecture: ATB, 360 Architecture, Clark Builders and Turner Construction Company at its meeting on June 8.
The Board of Directors grounded its recommendation primarily on the result of community engagement that began in 2011 as well as on the following project goals:
· Build a world-class development for a livable City Centre
· Produce a community-led project based on collaboration
· Ensure expansion meets the needs of today and tomorrow
The final guaranteed maximum price for construction provided by Clark Builders and Turner Construction Company is $107.9 million plus soft costs associated with Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E), bringing the proposed total cost to $127 million.
“The feedback we received during the community engagement sessions was the basis for our approach in producing our recommendation,” said Nick Sanders, Chair of the MacDonald Island Park Board of Directors. “We heard two consistent themes: Don’t build too small – an overwhelming 87% of respondents voted for full project build out – and make sure the expansion is fitting of a world-class community.”
The proposed outdoor expansion includes:
· Outdoor Performance Centre
· Community Pavilion
· Shared Space & Conference Centre
· Tournament Centre
· Skywalk to Suncor Community Leisure Centre
· Interpretive Trails
· Badminton Centre
· Turf Field House
· Rowing Centre & Marina (dependent on development of the Snye)
· Expansion of Fitness, Wellness & Golf space
· Restaurant
The proposed expansion does not include underground utility redevelopment at the expansion site or the pedestrian bridge that would connect MacDonald Island Park across the Snye to the existing Lower Townsite. These elements would be included in the RMWB City Centre Plan.
“Based on project goals and community feedback and in consultation with this world-class construction and architectural team, we are confident this is the best next step for MacDonald Island,” said Tim Reid, Chief Operating Officer at MacDonald Island Park. “We invite community members to review the final renderings and presentation online and to contact us at any time should they have any questions or ideas regarding our recommendation.”
Renderings of the proposed expansion project and the presentation that will be delivered to RMWB Council on July 10 can be viewed at macdonaldisland.ca/expansion.
