Canmore Multiplex Moving Forward

The Canmore multiplex is entering it's next phase. The proposed centre will be on currently vacant land next to the Provincial building on Railway Avenue. This will be another grear facility for the community of Canmore.

Rocky Mountain Outlook - Multiplex moving ahead
By Tanya Foubert - Rocky Mountain Outlook Published: April 09, 2009

Canmore council unanimously voted Tuesday (April 7) to move forward with phase two of a proposed $41 million multiplex, without a performing arts centre. Council directed administration to go forward with a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for an architect to begin designing a facility to include an aquatics and leisure pool, library, day care, climbing wall and multi-use amenity space.

General manager of community infrastructure Rod de Leeuw briefed local politicians on the results of the most recent public consultation in February. Consultations on the components of a multiplex were held in November, but council directed administration to go back to the public after a request was made by the Lamphouse Centre for the Arts for consideration of full funding, including the possibility of being included in the multiplex.

“This is definitely one of the biggest public input discussions I have enjoyed over the 10 years I have been here,” de Leeuw said. “The Lamphouse performing arts centre at this point stays status quo with the approvals made from council.”

Councillors and the mayor, however, were silent on the reasoning behind their collective decision. A survey outlining three options was made available to the public in February at the consultation and online. A total of 1,093 responses were received and 76 per cent preferred option A, the original multiplex concept council approved this week. Option B, which was the same as option A, but included $14 million in funding for the Lamphouse, received 18 per cent of support. “I think for responses you always get a few naysayers, but 76 per cent for option A does represent a fair amount,” de Leeuw said. “Administration feels confident to proceed to the next phase of the process.”

That phase will include choosing an architect and selection of a steering committee of five people, including a council representative, user group consultation and program analysis, development of a business plan and the initial design. de Leeuw added phase two is expected to result in refining capital and operational cost estimates.

The Town had worked with RC Strategies and ATB Architects for phase one. Originally it was planned that RC Strategies would stay on as architectural programming consultants and an RFP would be issued for an architect.

de Leeuw said the company requested to not be separated from ATB for the next phase.
As a result, council voted to issue an RFP for architectural services including architectural programming as a component.

The RFP deadline is April 24. “That is not a lot of time to allow for other bids,” said Coun. Ed Russell. de Leeuw said he has been in contact with several firms and they are aware that an RFP will be issued. He said two and half weeks is not too restrictive if the companies are willing and capable. “It is a great time in the economy to get good pricing for a facility like this,” he added. “I am trying to lay a road map that could see this close to completion in 2010.”

The steering committee is expected to review the proposals and bring a short list to council for approval. The 40-page RFP includes the contractors’ services for phase three of the multiplex. Council was adamant it be made clear they will be deciding whether it moves forward or not based on the results of phase two.

“There is no final approval for the project until after phase two when we have the final numbers,” Mayor Casey said. “I certainly would not approve a multiplex with a blank cheque.”