Skip to content

Architect named to upgrade Stettler Recreation Centre

An architect has been selected as part of the plan to review and upgrade Stettler Recreation Centre.

At its regular meeting, Aug. 3, Town of Stettler council approved a recommendation by the review committee to hire Arndt Tkalcic Bengert Architecture for the next phase of the project to draft design concepts for a fixed fee of $44,500, the lowest bid that came out of three interviews by members of the review committee.

“After interviewing each group filling out an evaluation form and asking questions, the committee selected Arndt Tkalcic Bengert Architecture as the best company to collect the community information and develop plans,” said Lee Penner, director of park and leisure services.

Most importantly, the architect was selected since it works with RC Strategies that collects data and information for the specific project.

“They want to mail out a questionnaire, survey people on the street and consult with residents and users in September and October,” said Penner.

Groups were interviewed on July 26 by Penner, committee chair and County of Stettler Reeve Earl Marshall, Town of Stettler Councillor Al Campbell, librarian Deb Cryderman, Stettler Lightning Junior B hockey coach Doug Smith, seniors’ representative Lee Holman, adult learning representative Bonnie Ireland and member-at-large Mark McNaughton.

While $62,500 has been budgeted for the project by the town, which also plans to apply for funding from Alberta Community Facilities Enhancement Program (CFEP).

Launched this spring, the committee will use most of the coming year and present recommendations to council in early 2011.

With a vision for the recreation centre to serve the community for the next 30 years, the committee will collect information that would impact operations of the facility and will work with the architect to:

• review needs of existing users and determine any new users that should be involved.

• provide and research relevant energy upgrades available.

•provide changes required to increase the longevity of the building.

• complete a design based on recommendations and prepare plans ready for tender.

Built in 1995 with two ice rinks and Stettler Public Library, the recreation centre was expanded with a pool and leisure centre around 2005.

Improving the recreation centre was ranked the third priority by council as it reviewed the town’s strategic plan.