City council approved a $70,000 contract for the completion of a structural assessment and life-cycle analysis on the SASCU Indoor Memorial Sports Complex.
In November 2023, the city announced the arena would be closed at first snowfall. This was after a preliminary engineering assessment identified concerns around snow load and the facility’s structural integrity.
“Under these circumstances, it is not financially or operationally viable to keep the facility open when there is snow on the roof,” said the city. “The overall safety and well-being of the users of our facilities is, and will always be, the priority of the city and the Shuswap Recreation Society.”
In December 2023, the city issued a request for proposals, calling for an assessment of the 65-year-old structure that includes an inventory of all major components of the building, a visual condition inspection, and a “full life-cycle plan for the facility including any immediate, short, medium and long-term rehabilitation recommendations as well as anticipated retirement date.”
Five proposals were received by the city. At the Feb. 12 council meeting, city engineer Jennifer Wilson explained they were evaluated based on project methodology, proponent qualifications and price.
Staff recommended the contract go to BAR Engineering, whose proposal came in at $70,552 (before taxes). The second-ranked proposal came in at $44,120.
The chosen proposal exceeded the $55,000 budgeted for the work, and staff noted additional geotechnical work estimated between $5,000 and $10,000 may be required. As such, staff also requested approval of a budget amendment, with $25,000 to be reallocated from the Memorial Arena Major Maintenance Reserve.
“It’s more than crystal clear we’ve got a responsibility to review this next stage no matter how difficult the results may be, so this is it, this inevitable, inextricable next step in the process,” commented Coun. Tim Lavery.
Coun. Kevin Flynn noted staff is asking for an additional $25,000 when the second-ranked applicant came in at $26,000 less.
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“I’m not saying I support the second-ranked applicant but without us understanding – was there a significant difference in what staff feels is the value?
Wilson explained the main difference between the proposals is that “BAR Engineering is a structural engineering firm that does life-cycle analysis as a subset, whereas the other firm does life-cycle analysis as primary and structural as the subset.”
Wilson said the structural assessment may be done in four to six weeks. Asked if the report may include recommendations for “quick fixes,” she said BARR was asked to comment “on how we could open the building as is, so under what conditions we could open it, and if there are minor fixes that could be done right away to open it as quickly as possible.”
While she was supported staff’s recommendations, Coun. Sylvia Lindgren referred to the cost as “shocking.”
“I hope that if the report comes back with something in the $100,000 repair range, that the city will be able to find the money to do that repair, or those repairs, and keep the building open because… it’s hard to justify in my mind $70,000 for this report,” said Lindgren. “So take that as a layman’s comment, and I think people in the community might also feel the same because we’re not qualified to make that judgement.”
