Town Council moved forward on awarding $138,000.00 to the Schikurski Booster Station renovation project after costs exceeded initial expectations.
The budget shortfall of $246,788.00 had to be addressed before moving forward on project. Council chose to factor in the pump purchase, engineering costs, control work and variable frequency drives and award the contract to T.A Rendek & Associates.
With that, Town of Creston’s Manager of Engineering, Colin Farynowski explains one of the steps taken to mitigate the cost.
“Because tender prices came in a little higher than anticipated, the backup generator was removed from the project, but we do have the ability to add the backup generator at some point in the future if it’s needed.”
The funds will be drawn from the Water Capital Fund in 2019. In the 2018 Capital Budget, Council approved $1,115,000.00 in order to upgrade the Schikurski Booster station with the help of government grants. The NEW BUILD CANADA – Small Communities fund awarded the town of Creston $743,332.00 so far.
Farynowski explains how expensive projects like this are important and are often unseen.
“Not a high visibility project… and, you know, it’s not something people open a door and walk into everyday. It just exists and lives in the background and provides a high level of service to the people of Creston.”
According to Farynowski, the project is set for completion by June 1st of next year.