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ATB Centre Phase Two so far on time, AND on budget

Aug 3, 2017 | 10:12 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A fire, caused at least in part by a malfunctioning space heater left on at the ATB Centre last February, hasn’t slowed down construction progress on the $110 million phase two portion of the project.

Ashley Matthews, Project Coordinator, says even though many of us have been complaining about the constant heat and lack of rain this summer, that has actually helped things move along.

“Overall the fire delayed it (the project) by 10 days, but there was other work they could do there at the same time. So the only real delay was they had to go back and do some re-work because of the damages. But it didn’t really delay the construction, because it continued on as such, and because of the beautiful weather we’ve had, they’ve more than made up that time.

“Everything is right on track. Most of the roof work is completed. Exterior windows are actually being installed right now. A lot of the interior roofing has also been completed. In August, they will start work on the parking lots. So things are moving right on schedule and things are looking good right now.”

Matthews says by the end of this year, interior walls should be up and more work on the exterior and interior will be done. By November 2018, the majority of the work on the entire project should be complete.

And it’s going to be an incredible facility, he explains, unlike anything in this region. Phase two will include not only the aquatic centre with different types of pools, saunas/steam rooms, a kids “zero entry” area and hot tubs…. There will also be an indoor track, indoor fields, a huge fitness centre, gymnasiums, a daycare centre run by the YMCA to accommodate up to 60 children, and even an indoor park for kids of all ages.

There will be private male and female change rooms as well as gender neutral ones where anyone can walk in, find a stall and change, then walk straight into the pool area. For privacy, there will be nine-foot walls and individual rooms complete with benches and showers for families as well.

Matthews says right now, everything is also on budget.

“Yes, it IS on budget. In fact, it’s showing a little bit under budget, so that’s a positive thing. But things can change in a heck of a hurry on a project of this magnitude.”

At this point, the target date for opening of the 225,000 square foot factility is April 1, 2019, if there are no delays.