Dawson Creek council addresses decorative boulder replacement at KBAC

DAWSON CREEK, BC – Dawson Creek council considered proposals from three vendors, with costs ranging between $82,900 and $310,000, to replace the decorative rock boulder at the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre.

Pieces of the rock formations have chipped all the protective paint away, leaving strands and pebbles circulating into the skimmers and drains, according to a report to council on March 25th.

The degradation of the decorative rocks, installed at the time of opening in 2008, was noted to be “unsightly” by the council but also risked frequent failures of the two main pumps supplying the leisure pool, leading to an increased demand for maintenance.

Council had begun the process for replacement contractors in 2019, only to be halted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The 2024 capital budget for the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre Decorative Rock Replacement project is $155,000.

Council chose to award Azuro Concepts Inc. the tender for replacing the decorative boulders.

Azuro Concepts Inc.’s quote came in at $196,500.00, but the council has recognized them as an expert in the industry across British Columbia and Canada.

With costs reaching $41,500 overestimations, council saw a deviation in pre-pandemic prices as the possible root of the difference.

“Staff are optimistic that savings within general capital projects will be realized to offset the overage on the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre Decorative Rock Replacement project,” said the report.

“If savings are not realized from other capital projects, the $41,500 will need to be covered from the general capital reserve.”

The past projects of Azuro Concepts Inc., a custom swimming pool designer from Surrey, include the Holiday Inn, Vancouver Community Centre and Cactus Club.

The boulder rock will be replaced during the centre’s annual maintenance shutdown from August 17th to October 11th.