The wheels are in motion as Regional District of Nanaimo directors have approved a contract for construction of a $660,000 skate park on Gabriola Island.
At the RDN’s board meeting May 25, directors approved a $659,100 contract to Radius Contracting Inc. Work for the skateboard facility, which will include skating area made of concrete as well as gravel parking lot and paths, according to a staff report. The project is anticipated to start Aug. 15 and be completed by the end of the year, staff said.
Radius was the only proponent responding to a request for proposals, with a $941,610 bid, according to the report, which surpassed the budget. After further negotiations, previously listed items such as coloured concrete, landscaping, a seating area, a shaded structure, and fencing were eliminated. A revised price tag of $772,485 was decided on, which includes a contingency of approximately $99,000 and $14,520 to engineering consulting firm VDZ+A, which will serve as contract manager.
The bulk of the project cost, $567,354 came from grants from the federal and provincial governments, with $69,000 raised by the community, according to the report.
Derek Kilbourn, former treasurer for the Gabriola Skatepark Fundraising Association, which disbanded after its goals were met, was pleased to hear that plans were proceeding.
“Former members are happy the RDN has chosen a company to build the skate park and that the RDN keeps on pushing ahead and prioritizing completion of the skate park within the Huxley Park redevelopment plan,” Kilbourn said.
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