Phase II moving forward

Yorkton Council has approved a tender for development of York Colony Phase II.

The project will consist of development of 25.61 hectares for both commercial and residential lots.

Four companies bid on the project, said Gord Shaw Director of Planning & Engineering with the City at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday. The lowest tender was from Ungar Construction Co. Ltd. for $3,691,056.

The engineer's estimate was $4,902,150.00, added Shaw.

Shaw said the project will have a large contingency budget attached to it based in something of an unknown in terms of the project.

"The bidders were requested to bid the sanitary work on Potoski Street with conventional de-watering construction practices (temporary sump pumps and piping). If additional techniques were required to control excessive groundwater entering the trench, the city will work with the contractor to either include this additional work in the contract as a change order, or obtain dewatering services with a third-party. This means that it could be possible the construction cost could increase due to this unknown. Geotechnical work does indicate ground water at this depth. The difficulty is determining how this groundwater will affect trenching in this area. Engineering Services recommends that $600,000.00 be allocated as an upset item in the event that additional dewatering is required beyond the conventional means," detailed a report circulated to Council.

With a $600,000 dewatering contingency the total budget will be $4,660,162.

This figure does not take into account land acquisition costs, development levies, costs for installation of shallow utilities or survey/administrative fees. The above figure is lower than the construction cost forecasted in February of this year. The lot prices can be reviewed when the project is substantially completed and Engineering Services knows the cost for dewatering on Potoski Street.