Open House for Multi-Centre update on Tuesday, April 12th

Joint Press Release from the City of Quesnel/Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District and City of Quesnel will provide residents in the North Cariboo with an update on the North Cariboo Multi-Centre project at a public Open House in Quesnel City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday April 12. The Multi-Centre presentation begins at 7 p.m. following a regular meeting of the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (the CRD’s four northern directors and Quesnel City Council).

 "We’ve worked hard on this file over the past year, a lot of it behind the scenes," stated CRD Vice-Chair Ted Armstrong. “We need to continue to raise the profile of this project locally, provincially and nationally in an attempt to secure a funding commitment from senior levels of government. We’ve completed the Wood First Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals; the project is shovel-ready."

 “My colleagues and I have done much lobbying work to ensure senior government representatives are aware of the project and this community’s eagerness to proceed with the project,” added Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “I want to ensure our residents know we are working on this file and committed to carrying out the mandate provided during the referendum.”

 In April 2010, the RFQ and RFP were completed and presented to the NCJPC. The RFP, at more than 300 pages, lays out the exact construction specifications required to be met by the Design-Builder. The project budget of $30 million includes a 1,600-seat arena, 450-seat performing arts theatre and accompanying event and assembly space.

 Since that time, elected officials have focused on providing project information to potential funders, including the prime minister, premier, federal and provincial cabinet members, and potential provincial party leaders. More than 25 information packages have been sent, as well as multiple one-on-one meetings in various settings, including at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

The Cariboo Regional District and City of Quesnel still need to secure at least $15 million in funding after North Cariboo taxpayers approved borrowing up to $15 million in the 2008 referendum. Once the funding is secured, the RFQ is issued. Experienced design/build teams will answer that call, with a shortlist of three or four chosen. Then the RFP is issued to the shortlisted candidates, who compete for the job by preparing a complete bid package (including technical drawings, architectural renderings etc) for a fixed construction cost. The competition is based on quality and value rather than simply selecting the lowest bidder. A judging panel reviews the bids, a successful bidder is chosen and the design-construction phase begins.