Designing and building a $3-million project is no walk in the park.
That was evident at Monday’s council committee meeting.
In 2016, city council approved funding for the design of a large new park in rapidly growing west Orillia.
Earlier this year, council took the next step during budget deliberations, approving the construction of the $2.9-million park to be situated on Orion Boulevard.
But Monday, councillors learned the budget is going to fall short - even after staff worked with the potential contractor to whittle down the costs.
As a result, city staff were asking for approval to increase the budget by $190,000 to ensure construction of the long-awaited park begins this fall.
In somewhat of a surprise, councillors agreed to that - and more.
After a lengthy debate, councillors also agreed to add a $79,400 post-and-beam shade structure with a metal roof and a $68,700 splash pad. Those two elements were not part of the original park plan and were not recommended by staff “due to budget constraints.”
Decisions made Monday are subject to ratification at next Monday’s regular meeting of council.
John McMullen, the city’s manager of parks planning and design, told councillors the city received four qualified bids for the project ranging from $3 to $4.1 million.
He said the lowest bid, from Pine Valley Corporation (Maple, ON), met all the city’s criteria. City staff met with the winning bidder and slashed more than $65,000 from the budget, but that still left a shortfall of about $190,000.
Council was asked to approve the additional funding by dipping into its development charges reserve fund for $153,973 and its operating contingency fund for the remaining $36,117. After adding the two amenities, those numbers jumped to $281,080 and $57,110 respectively.
City staff warned elected officials that the city’s reserves have “significant” negative balances and stressed concern about taking money from contingencies.
“Both funding sources are in a negative balance,” said city treasurer Jim Lang, who noted the development charge reserve has about a -$12-million balance - money that will be recovered, over time, through future development.
The city’s park development reserve also has a negative balance and will for a few years, Lang noted.
It’s why staff “reluctantly” suggested funding be diverted from the contingency fund - the "only available" source of funds.
“It’s kind of a fine line,” warned Lang. “Right now, (the contingency fund has) about a $600-700,000 balance. That can be eaten up quickly if you have other project tenders come in at a higher cost than actual.”
But Coun. Mason Ainsworth, who represents the west Orillia area, championed the addition of the splash pad and upgrading to the more expensive shade structure.
The original design included a smaller post and fabric structure with a ‘sail’ serving as a roof that would have to be removed seasonally. The more expensive option was a post-and-beam timber structure with a metal roof that will last longer and fit in better with the wooded elements of the park.
“I think the big thing is making sure when we do build a park, we build it right the first time,” said Ainsworth, who noted the park is being constructed in a “very large development” area.
He was not concerned about the negative balances of the reserves.
“There’s a reason for that,” said Ainsworth. “First, you build the infrastructure and then that gets developed and that money comes back. If you don’t have infrastructure in place to attract that development in the first place, you’re not going to bet it back.
“I think it’s a good investment on our part.”
City CAO Gayle Jackson reminded council that the splash pad and more expensive shade structure were “not part of the original scope” of the park.
“And with the status of the reserve, in making a decision such as this nature without the benefit of fully understanding all the other requirements coming forward for 2020 for this particular reserve … these are things to think about,” said Jackson.
Ray Merkley, the director of parks, recreation and culture, said that’s why staff did not include the two elements in its final design.
“To be clear, we’re not recommending (these) two options because we still believe it’s going to be a magnificent park without those features,” said Merkley.
Several councillors, however, said if the project is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
Coun. Ted Emond reflected on the decision the previous council made to spend more money on concrete walkways during a makeover of Victoria Park, rather than pinch pennies and use asphalt.
That was done “because we recognized spending the money now to do the job right had a long-term benefit,” said Emond, who said he believes similar thinking is needed for the proposed park in west Orillia.
“If we’re going to do it and we’re going to spend this kind of money on a park, then my view is let’s do it to the level that is appropriate that ...isn’t going to break the bank.”
When complete, the 8.3-acre park will feature a mini zip line and adventure playground, a washroom building, multi-court/pickleball court, a freestyle skate zone, toboggan hill, swings, butterfly garden and promenade in addition to lots of open space and links to nearby trails.
The park, located in the Stone Ridge subdivision, will be bordered by Orion Boulevard and Annalysse Drive.
While staff have dubbed the new project West Orillia Park, council voted to refer that matter to the recreation advisory committee in the hopes they might suggest a more original name.
