The cost to replace an aging culvert in the heart of Armstrong has gone up considerably.
A 200-metre culvert at the Interior Provincial Exhibition grounds is in poor shape, has been identified for a number of years to be replaced and is scheduled to be dealt with this year.
Armstrong Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation Commission met earlier this month to discuss and put the project, budgeted at $210,000, out to tender.
Eight bids were received, all over the budget price, the lowest bid being $219,664.
“With the addition of engineering ($11,975) and geotechnical fees ($3,500), it puts the project $25,139 over the approved budget, bringing the total to $235,139.92,” wrote Melinda Stickney, the city’s chief administrative officer, in a report to council.
The project does not include a contingency amount, and a recommended 10 per cent contingency of $23,514 would be added to the budget cost, bringing the new total to $258,653.
Parks and recreation recommended that both city and township councils amend the budget and each municipality add $25,000 from reserves to the project.
Both councils approved the recommendation because there was a tight timeline to accept the low tender of $219,664.
“It’s a good safety thing,” said Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper of the culvert replacement project. “We’ve done our due diligence.”
The culvert replacement is expected to run from Pleasant Valley Road at Centennial Hall, through the fairgrounds and over toward Wood Avenue.
The project will begin after the Interior Provincial Exhibition, and is not likely to affect parking for the major events scheduled for the IPE grounds on Thanksgiving weekend which include the annual demolition derby and Harvest Pumpkin Festival.
“I’m sure if there was a problem if there was no parking on there, the IPE could be approached,” said Coun. Shirley Fowler, chairperson of the city’s finance committee.