The proposed $39 million Multiplex project is one step closer to being a reality this week.
On Tuesday (March 8) afternoon, Town administration held the public tender opening of five bids from pre-qualified bidders at the Civic Centre.
Ranging from $38.7 million to $31.4 million, Manager of Engineering Kevin Van Vliet said the stipulated price amounts read out to the expectant crowd are not final.
“The stipulated price amount is not a final price amount,” Van Vliet said. “These tender documents are not necessarily complete until they are reviewed over the next week.”
Administration will spend the next week reviewing the documents for pricing completeness and errors.
As well, Van Vliet said final price amounts in the tenders could change as a result of alternative pricing being submitted.
Mayor Ron Casey said even though final amounts have not been presented, it looks good.
“As of right now, it looks as if we have a tender that meets our expectation,” Casey said.
“It looks very promising and looks like they came in where the expectation was.”
The amounts did not include GST or soft costs, like fixtures, furniture and architectural fees, which would make up part of the total $39 million project budget.
“All the other soft costs are in the total budget,” said the mayor.
Council is expected to make the final vote of approval to move forward when administration brings a recommendation forward for which tender will be accepted next Tuesday (March 15).
Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association chair Terry Burch said the very real prospect of the project getting underway this spring is a good news story for Canmore and its trades.
“I think the numbers came in right where expected… there were no surprises,” Burch said. “We will be building a Multiplex this spring and that is good news for the construction industry overall.
“Let’s put some guys to work.”
The tenders came in as follows: Bird Construction – $38.7 million Ellis Don Construction – $31.9 million Graham Construction – $31.4 million Ledcor Construction – $32.6 million Stuart Olson Dominion – $33.6 million.
