Edmonton’s Lewis Farms rec centre could cost nearly $32M more than original estimate | CBC News
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Edmonton’s Lewis Farms Recreation Centre has a new price tag — and the project could cost almost $32 million more than the city expected.
Councillors learned last month that the centre, which is under construction, would likely be over its original budget of more than $311 million. That sum was approved in 2021.
Now, an amendment to that report says the project’s budget is expected to total about $343 million.
“I wish we had hit ‘Stop’, and had a chance to sit down and try to bring other people into the mix,” Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz told CBC News. He has voiced concerns about the project since he was first elected.
The rising costs were unexpected, Janz said, and he worries whether the city’s budget will have the capacity to accommodate the increased expense.
Given the rapid inflation since the COVID-19 pandemic, Janz said he wished city council took a more cautious approach.
“We have to do whatever we can to try to insulate and protect our community from these wild swings,” he said.
The city started planning the centre in 2005, under a different mayor and council.
Mayor Andrew Knack, who championed the Lewis Farms Recreation Centre since its start, previously told CBC News it’s rare for city projects to finish over budget.
The previous report stated that the project had already been scaled back last year. That includes shrinking the pool and gym, and cutting other amenities like a bouldering wall, skatepark and outdoor rink.
Construction started in 2023 on the recreation centre, which is located in Ward Nakota Isga, in Edmonton’s west end.
Coun. Reed Clarke, who represents that district, said he’s concerned about the estimate increase, but his constituents have made it clear that a recreation centre is much needed in the community.
“These neighbourhoods have grown so fast. They’re densely populated, there hasn’t been anything there for a while, so the community really wants this,” Clarke told CBC News.
He believes sports and recreation is “the best way to connect people to their community,” and said the centre likely won’t be used solely by his constitutents.
City councillors are set to debate the cost increase on April 28.
Construction of the recreation centre is currently scheduled to finish in 2027, and the centre is slated to open in the fall of 2028.