From the looks of the debris outside, construction has clearly begun on the inside of the Victoria Road Recreation Centre in Guelph’s east end.
Melloul-Blamey Construction has commenced an overhaul and upgrade of a recreational facility that was built back in 1975. A budget of $15.1 million has been allocated to the renewal of the facility, with most of the work happening inside to improve accessibility, security, expanded space and additional programs.
The work was initially estimated at about $12.5 million, but the figure was adjusted upward. Council approved additional funding for the project in March.
The work is expected to take until June 2017 to complete. The centre closed on March 31, and will remain so for about 15 months.
The work to make the centre more inclusive and accessible includes a new entrance, multi-purpose rooms, offices, and accessible washrooms and change rooms on the pool level.
There will also be a renovated entrance and lobby on the arena level, with a new elevator, and upgrades to the change rooms. A heated viewing area will also be constructed for the arena.
The entire building will get new lighting and heating, and energy efficiency improvements. And the large parking lot is to be redesigned.
Piles of concrete and concrete blocks are accumulating outside the building this week as internal structures are coming down.
