By Mark Squibb
While construction of a new community centre poised to replace the aging Park Place facility has gotten off to a slow start, the contractor should hit all the construction milestones right on schedule, said Mount Pearl’s Director of Planning, Engineering and Development, Scott Batt.
Mayor Dave Aker broached the subject during the October 29 public council meeting. Aker said it appears that things are off to a slow start, but noted the steel has been ordered, the foundation has been poured, and the design is underway. He then asked Batt for further clarification.
“As you said, they’re off to a little bit of a slow start, but things have picked up substantially,” said Batt. “The foundation has been poured, and there are a couple sets to be poured next week. Excavation is complete for the building, we’re anticipating final design drawings in the next couple of weeks, and all the critical milestones are on course, so congrats to the team for helping keep that on track. It’s good news going forward.”
The contract for the centre, valued at $15.5 million, was awarded to JMJ Holdings Ltd., earlier this year, and a groundbreaking event was held in July at the Team Gushue Sports Complex, the site of the new facility. It will boast a splash pad and ice rink combination surface, and a multi-purpose space complete with stage and retractable bleachers.
“I think it’s important for our residents to know where we stand with this,” said Aker. “There’s a lot of money being spent over there, and it’s important that we do it right, and I think the schedule is top of mind for not just us, but our residents, especially next year with the Canada Games starting to take over some of that parking area.”
Council approved the building permit for the centre’s splash pad and ice surface during the October 29 meeting, and construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.
