The pool being constructed in downtown Prince George is running into some unforeseen costs on multiple fronts.
City Council was given an update on the project and the overages associated with it.
When the structural steel arrived for the building, they found that the primer applied to the steel was failing.
The city estimates that this development has put the project back $1 million, as the steel will need to be primed again.
This has also pushed the project back two weeks.
“We are looking for hopefully some cost recovery on the steel primer remediation,” said Councillor Murray Krause.
When workers started digging for the pool, they ran into unknown pipes, as well as unsuitable soil, so engineered fill will need to be added to the project, which will cost about $553,000.
“When we do look at downtown projects where we are digging in the ground, is it possible for us to look at adding an additional contingency knowing that there might be soil or piping issues that we’re going to inherently come across?” asked Councillor Cori Ramsay.
City staff said capital project management reviews are underway, and Council will get recommendations going forward on how to avoid these pitfalls.
The project is estimated to be about 42% done, with $15.4 million spent.
The budget was $35.75 million but was bumped up in February 2021 to $36.25 million due to a $500,000 obstacle course being added.
The project is slated to finish by the summer of 2022.
City Council also discussed the rezoning of properties all across PG, from a plot of land by Foothills Blvd and North Nechako Road, to a property along Queensway near Houston Lane.