North Battleford council received good news Monday that roof repairs at the Don Ross Centre won't be as extensive or as costly as originally thought.
That positive news came from a written report from City Facilities Manager Bill Samborski dated July 5, about roof work proposed for the Don Ross Centre for 2013.
Previously, the City had anticipated going ahead with phase one of a five-year roof replacement, originally budgeted at $375,000 over that period.
But that won't be necessary according to Samborski. His report suggested an alternative approach at a cost of only $119,000, allowing the city to save much of the money budgeted over the five-year period.
Instead of going with a complete roof replacement, Samborski reported a spray application can be used. It was described as a "granite" product that acts as a quick setting liquid rubber, creating a perfect seal on the roof.
That arena repair would cost $88,170, much lower than the estimated $300,000 that would have been the bill for a complete roof replacement.
Samborski suggested combining that arena roof work with repairs to the hallway link roof, estimated at $20,000. An additional $11,000 in consultant fees brings the total cost to $119,000.
The City had also set aside $15,000 for proposed window and door replacements at the Don Ross Centre. Instead of doing that work this year, Samborski's report recommended forgoing the window and door replacements and transferring the $15,000 allotment to the capital budget and putting it towards completing the hallway link and the arena roof repairs. He also recommended removing the next four phases of Don Ross roof replacement from the five-year capital plan.
The resolution to amend the 2013 Capital and Operating Budgets to that effect carried unanimously.
The news that the City won't have to spend as much money as anticipated on the Don Ross roof came as welcomed by Councillor Greg Lightfoot.
"The roof actually is in pretty good shape other than a couple of areas that just needed some repair work with regards to some foam insulation in some areas," said Lightfoot.
"It looks like we're going to get away without having to put a lot of money into it; we're going to save approximately $300,000 possibly over the next five years."
Lightfoot called it a "good report, a great report, and based on the recommendations we should follow through with that and do what's recommended here."
