Contractors will soon be starting construction on the new space dedicated to an Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team in Lloydminster.
City council granted the contract for Craftex Builders who will be developing the team’s space on the second floor of the RCMP building. Cost of construction is budgeted at $676,380 plus a 10 per cent contingency with total expenditures for the project listed at $859,000. The cost is split between ALERT covering about 70 per cent and the city with 30 per cent.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers recognizes that it is a tight budget coming in at about $1,000 under budget. It was also noted in the city council meeting that there was an issue with the washroom placement in the design phase which led to a cost increase.
“New water pipes had to be put in because when the building was finished I don’t know if there was a true conceptual design and ALERT was definitely not on the radar [then]. There are some costs that were a little bit higher than originally budgeted because all of a sudden we had to do some alterations.”
He says they will be working with ALERT and the contractors to find cost-savings where they can. Even with the slight hiccup in the plan, Aalbers is still excited to see ALERT’s presence in the community.
“When ALERT is here you’ll know it. The people that are afraid of ALERT will know it. They will send a very clear message to those that are committing crimes and they will know they’re here and they will be felt.”
Administration says the construction will cause minimal interruption for the RCMP and work is expected to wrap up by July 31st.
