PRRD approves $20M budget for new admin building in Dawson Creek

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The regional district has approved a multi-million dollar construction proposal for a new administrative building in Dawson Creek. 

During the November 20th meeting of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board of directors, a major project was awarded to an out-of-province construction company for an administration building for the district. 

In a closed meeting on August 14th, the regional district “initiated the execution” of the next phase of the PRRD office building project, a new building which will be at 1001 105th Avenue, Dawson Creek. 

A closed meeting of a local government is only held when subjects that require discussion fall into specific categories. According to the provincial government, these categories include personal information about individuals, labour or employee relations, security of property of the local government, litigation or potential litigation impacting the local government, the receipt of legal advice and more. 

Of the 11 submissions received from the district’s invitation to tender for the project, nine met the mandatory requirements and Scott Builders was selected. The Canadian company based in Alberta provided estimated proposal costs of approximately $14.19 million excluding tax. 

During the November 20th meeting, Reid Graham, director for Electoral Area B, expressed concerns about the project’s proposed 10 per cent contingency which – if used – would bring constructions up to as much as approximately $17.02 million. 

Shawn Dahlen, the PRRD’s chief administrative officer, explained the contingency funds were intended for unexpected increases, rather than to supplement the company’s bid price.  

“We hope to use none of [the contingency funds], we’re just looking for the board to approve that contingency amount today, in case we end up in a situation where we might need to utilize some contingency and save us from coming back to the board every time,” Dahlen said. 

The property was provided by the City of Dawson Creek in a $0 memorandum of understanding, an investigation of the land by the PRRD cost $54,918 and design and construction procurement is budgeted to cost approximately $1.9 million. In total, the project is estimated to cost $19.97 million.

The project cost estimate does not reflect the furnishings, office equipment and supplies required to outfit the building once construction is complete. 

Following the brief discussion, the board voted to award the project to Scott Builders and sign an agreement with the company.

According to the report from staff, a “full understanding of the costs” is scheduled to be presented during the December 5th regional board meeting.

No information was provided during the November 20th meeting regarding when construction would begin, or how long it is expected to last. 

To read the complete project report, see below