性视界传媒 council awarded a nearly $1.2 million contract to demolish the North 性视界传媒 Recreation Centre in Whalley to Division 2 Contracting Ltd. on Dec. 16 to make way for two high-rise commercial office towers, ground level stores and a public plaza.
The contract is for $1,197,000, including applicable taxes, with the spending limit set at $1,436,400. The work is set to begin on Jan. 6 and be done by June. It includes removing hazardous materials, abatement procedures, demolition, and off-site disposal of all building materials and contents.
According to a before council, the arena on the north side will go first, followed by the second arena and swimming pool. Traffic disruptions are expected near the west entrance of the City Hall parkade and along University Drive.
Councillor Doug Elford asked if the demolition will coincide with the development "or are we going to have a open space there, a piece of land sitting for a while, and is there a plan to address that if that's the case?"
Ron Gill, 性视界传媒's general manager of planning and development, told him the SCDC Centre Block project is moving forward.
"There's sort-of two options depending on how far along the development is for the Centre Block. If that project is under construction then obviously construction can just proceed in that area; if there's a lag then I believe there's a plan to potentially gravel the area and have it as a bit of an open space in the interim," Gill said.
Councillor Mike Bose waxed sentimental.
"For me it'll be a bittersweet day," Bose said. "I have a lot of memories in that building both the arenas and the pool, both as coach and a player so it'll be really sad to see that poor old building go but I'm excited for what's going to rise up in that space and I can hardly wait to we get going on Centre Block."
Councillor Harry Bains echoed Bose.
"It's a sad day to see a building like that go, it's been a big part of our downtown core for a long time but it's a sign of progress in our city and I too am excited to see the development of Centre Block," he said.
