The City of St. Albert will hear more on whether a $42-million sports campus in the city’s northwest will be worth the investment next week.
A value for money assessment of the proposed Active Communities Alberta (ACA) sports and community campus has been completed. The report is being presented during a committee of the whole meeting at 2 p.m. on Sept. 28. The city had put out a call for quotes on the assessment back in June.
Matt Bachewich, ACA president, said he is excited to find out the results of the assessment. The independent review could offer another lens to see the project through, he said.
“There will probably be some good ideas and suggestions that are brought forward as a result of the assessment that will help this project be successful in the long run.”
City council signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the non-profit organization in June 2018.
Under that agreement, the city will chip in up to $20 million to help build the facility, provided it is built in St. Albert and is backed by $10 million each from the federal and provincial governments. That was also subject to a $10,000 value for money assessment by an outside consultant.
Plans shown at an open house in February portrayed a facility with 20,000 square feet of gym space, office and retail room, and two arenas.
Bachewich said ACA’s model offers a cost-effective solution to city-run recreation facilities, and he believes the group could run the sports campus on a break-even basis without the need for taxpayers to support ongoing operations.
Based on the city’s operating deficits for Servus Place and Fountain Park Recreation Centre, ACA estimates a non-profit approach could save the city about $1 million a year.
In late June, the province unveiled a $10-billion infrastructure program earmarked for construction projects. ACA’s sports campus has been submitted for consideration, Bachewich said.
“We have asked for $10 million in provincial funding and $10 million in federal funding, and we expect that will be a huge benefit to the City of St. Albert and the region as a whole.”
He said he’s hoping the study will reinforce the project as a way for the city to save on recreational spending and create job opportunities, especially considering financial impacts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The completion of the value for money assessment is an important milestone along that path.”
