By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — Construction is set to start on Davidson’s new pool within the next couple of weeks, the town’s recreation director said late last week.
Trevor Ouellette said the town has confirmed the total cost of the project and will be moving forward with the goal of having the pool ready for use in 2017.
“At this point, things will happen really fast,” he said. “We should see some action in the next two weeks.”
The swimming pool committee announced last month that it had reached its initial fundraising goal of $1.3 million, but at that time it remained to be seen whether that would be enough for the project as envisioned by the town.
The figure has since been confirmed, though it has not been released to the public yet.
Ouellette told the Leader on Friday that it is well within reach, and significantly lower than previous cost projections had indicated.
The Regina-based firm Walker Projects, Ltd., serves as project managers on the town’s behalf. CCR Construction Ltd. of Regina is general contractor, while Western Recreation is constructing the actual pool.
Ouellette said the town is expected to carry out site preparation beginning this week, with the hole being dug for the pool by the end of May.
Staff from Walker Projects met with Ouellette, town councillors and members of the committee last week.
While a shortfall remains, Ouellette said the committee has agreed to continue some fundraising, though the town will ultimately be responsible for the difference.
In addition, a contingency fund, amounting to five per cent of the project’s cost, will be in place to protect against cost overruns or other unforeseen costs.
No firm timeline has been established, but Ouellette said the builders are hoping to complete the project by late September or early October of this year, which should be achievable as long as weather allows.
The recreation director said he is pleased to move into the next phase of the project, though the construction process will bring its own challenges.
“It’s one load taken off my shoulders, just replaced by a bigger load,” he said with a laugh.
While the old pool will be open again this season, Ouellette said it’s clear that its time is short, calling it a “relief” that the new facility is now within reach.
He also noted how impressed he is by the efforts of the pool committee, noting that other towns, some larger than Davidson, had struggled to raise more than half of what this town has.
Erin Gust, speaking on behalf of the committee Friday, confirmed that they have agreed to continue with annual fundraisers, including bottle drives, the garden sale and the holiday gala.
She said the 12 members voted “overwhelmingly in favour” of continuing their efforts, adding that the high level of local support continues to encourage them.
“It’s really hard to express the feelings, of the sense of accomplishment, of what we’ve achieved as a community together,” she said. “It’s a really good feeling.”