Sylvan Lake town councillors have learned that they may need to make some important decisions to ensure the multiplex redevelopment project stays within its initial $29 million budget.
To maintain the 91,000-sq.-ft. floor area outlined in the project’s latest schematic design drawings, a budget increase of up to $3 million may be required.
Otherwise, the scope of the project may need to be reduced, with building footprint reduction among the options discussed by the Multiplex Redevelopment Task Force earlier this month.
“We will have to make tough decisions with respect to either the budget or the scope, and that’s something we all need to understand,” said Mayor Sean McIntyre, speaking at council’s regular meeting Aug. 25. “We’re not talking about removing an entire component to make budget, but obviously we do have some strong work to do.”
Council accepted a project status report for information at the Aug. 25 meeting, and were told administration would require more time to consider ways to best approach the discrepancy.
Administration noted that a special meeting would likely be required in the near future to “facilitate a timely decision” on the matter.