Replacing a spray park on Coquitlam’s Westwood Plateau is expected to cost the city a little more than initially thought.
Staff originally allocated $150,000 for replacing the facility at Panorama Park (next to Panorama Heights elementary school) but now say the price tag is closer to $360,000.
The discrepancy was noticed by at least one city councillor, who questioned staff’s estimates.
“How did we get this so wrong?” Coun. Chris Wilson asked during Monday’s council meeting. “If we are going to keep putting placeholders in and the actual amounts are almost double, I don’t want to do placeholders anymore. I want more detailed analysis.”
Raul Allueva, the city’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture services, said the initial placeholder figure was an early estimate. The higher figure came after staff conducted a more thorough examination of what a replacement would cost. “It was very high level,” he said during Monday’s meeting.
Replacing the existing facility would cost $275,000 but an additional $85,000 is being allotted from the infrastructure reserve to enhance the amenity. For example, additional spray components will be added along with surface treatments and new furnishings, according to a staff report.
In the end, council voted unanimously in favour of the concept and budget.
After that, the project will be put out to tender in the winter, with construction expected to begin in the early spring and completed by May 2018.
@gmckennaTC
