HUMBOLDT — A replacement for the aquatic centre’s air handling unit is going cost more than expected.
The city originally budgeted $375,000 for the system, with the system estimated to cost $345,000.
Estimates for the electrical work and the unit itself underestimated the cost by $30,000. PST was also not included in the budget, increasing costs by $20,000.
The city worked with the engineering consultant and found the unit had components that weren’t needed, reducing the cost by $65,000. Working with the company that made the lowest bid to install the system, the cost was reduced by around $23,000, by using existing ductwork, completing interior work during the January 2020 shutdown, and deferring demolition of the current unit. Those changes made the price of the system around $370,000.
Council voted to increase the budget to $421,000 at their June 10 meeting.
Ron Muench, Humboldt’s mayor, said the replacement was needed, as the system was well past its productive age
“You never like to see costs being more than what you budget,” he said. “That's why you hire consultants, to try and come up with those numbers, so when you're putting your budget together, but sometimes that doesn't happen.”
