By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Work Continues to Move Along Smoothly at Crossings

Apr 5, 2016 | 12:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Crossings Leisure Complex seems to be moving along on time.

Council was updated Monday by the Crossings Steering Committee, hearing that the city should take possession of Phase 1 this month as it reaches substantial completion. City staff will continue training through this month, as well.

The ice-making process for both the Twin Arenas and curling surfaces will begin shortly after that.

“It takes about five weeks by the time you cool down the [concrete] slab, and then you actually make the ice. Later in April into May, we’ll be making ice. The first part of June is when we’ll actually have programs taking place in the Twin Arenas,” explained Ashley Matthews, Project Coordinator.

“We’ll be starting the refrigeration plant on the curling rink sometime in the last part of July, making ice in August, and they’ll be up and running come September.”

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More information is still needed from the Provincial and Federal Governments as funding partners, before a formal grand opening for Phase 1 can be confirmed for September. (Photos of the work underway to the right.)

As Phase 2 now gets underway, Matthews hopes to have the first tender package awarded within the next two weeks, which mostly takes care of all the underground work.

He added that it’s all about patience in these early stages. “It takes a while before we get out of the ground, and people wonder what we’re doing. It does take a while to build the foundations and get everything ready as far as the site is concerned. So, it will take a little bit of time, but once we start coming out of the ground, it really will take shape quickly.”

The next tender, encompassing all the electrical, mechanical and superstructure work, should be released sometime between early and mid-May. A Development Permit Application has also been submitted, and the General Contractor, Stuart Olson, began mobilizing on site April 1st.

As of now, Matthews notes that everything for Phase 2 seems to be moving ahead on schedule and slightly under budget. He hopes the weather will hold out like it has over the completion of Phase 1.

Contractors are also helping by keeping ahead of the game, ordering materials well in advance. For example, the main pool is already on order and will be installed at a later date.

The City will continue to hammer out its partnership agreement with the YMCA, which outlines how the facility operations will work. That agreement should be finalized by the end of the year.

A formal name is still being worked out with ATB Financial, and it is hoped to be determined by the end of April. A preliminary list of fixtures, furniture and equipment has also been started, and will be completed once the need becomes more apparent.

The ground breaking ceremony for Phase 2 is being planned for Friday, May 13th.