Grading begins at site of new CBS dome

By Craig Westcott

Modern Paving has won the contract to fill-in, grade and prepare the site for the Town of Conception Bay South’s new Community Centre at the Gateway in Kelligrews.

The CBS-based company was the lowest among seven bidders and will be paid $3.25 million, including HST, for the work.

The Town had set a budget of $4 million for the job, which is expected to take about three months.

“We’re at the stage now where we’re able to do a lot of the (moving of) substantial material to complete the upgrades for the elevations required at the Gateway Drive (site),” said Ward 4 councillor Melissa Hardy, who is the lead councillor for the Town’s engineering related activities. “So, we’re able to start moving forward.”
Mayor Darrin Bent noted the company will take aggregate from other sites, namely lots five and six, at the Gateway and move it to Lot 2, which is the site of the future $16 million inflatable dome complex.

“I believe the provincial contribution to this project is in the bank, so the money is sitting there.” Bent added.

Modern’s work will include upgrading the full width of the site and making it ready to accommodate storm water, curbing and underground electrical installations.
The other bidders and their proposed amounts included Fairview Investments at $3.29 million, Dexter Construction at $3.56 million, Weir’s Construction at $3.83 million, Eric Taylor Limited at $3.89 million, Farrell’s Excavating at just over $4 million, and Bursey’s Excavating at $5.46 million. All those prices are inclusive of HST.
The Town has also hired an engineering firm to oversee the contracts and provide inspections during the construction of the facility, which is also expected to take about 90 days once it begins. The work will be handled by Pinnacle Engineering at a cost of $170,000 plus HST.

“These folks are pretty much going to be the project managers for the site, so they will be the eyes and ears on the project and will work back with our team here at the Town Hall,” said Hardy.

“Get ‘er going,” said Mayor Bent.