LETTER – ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more’

In January of 2024 the public was told the price for a Performing Arts Centre (PAC) would be $120 million.  In June we were notified that the building cost had increased to $140 million and a month later when the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) was initiated the building costs had grown to $154 million with the city borrowing up to $140 million if the AAP was successful.

In November of 2025, some 15 months later, the price had escalated to $211 million, $57 million more or almost $4 million per month since the AAP.  But the cost that we need to be concentrating on is the $120 million original number which is a $91 million difference than the $211 million or 76% over the original budgeted forecast.  Once again, that’s 76% over the original!

At last week’s council meeting we were informed that thus far the costs are tracking to be $5 million under the $211 million which is slightly less than 2.5% and for that they’re deserving what, an “atta boy”?

Great news, we just saved possibly $5 million, we’re now only 72% over the original budget and 34% over the AAP estimate.  Being $52 million over our AAP budget is nothing our administration should be patting themselves on the back for let alone a $65,000 raise as our Infrastructure Delivery Divisional Manager received, i.e. the guy in charge.

The Multiplex was originally touted as a 6 rink plus fitness centre, priced at $125 million, that’s $20 million per rink plus $5 million for amenities.  Six months later when the AAP was initiated, the price remained at $125 million but the rinks had shrunk to 4, or $30 million per rink plus amenities.  Last November the price increased to $140 or about $35 million per rink.  In the spring we had a double whammy, price up to $154 and rinks down to 3.4 which is about $45 million per rink.  Last week council was informed that the 3.4 rinks remained the same (okay) but the price has increased to $168 million which is just under $50 million per rink (GTFO!).

Oh, and I almost forgot, the $168 million price tag, I’m not sure if that  includes the cost of added land that needs to be purchased to build these 3.4 rinks.

The cost per rink has increased 150% from when first presented to the public in 2024 and 70% since the AAP 24 months ago.  Two major projects, are 76% & 150% over budget respectively from when originally presented to the public.

The reason I point this out is because last week the same administration presented a Police Station project with an estimated budget of $160 million (somehow down from the $180 million estimated earlier in the year but that’s for another time).  Should we, the public expect a 76% increase in the budget similar to the PAC or more like a 150% as the Multiplex?  Considering we’re in the beginnings of a trade war with our neighbours I’m thinking the 150% seems to be the far more plausible number.

The question I have is, just how god damn naive do you have to be to believe a new Police Station is going to be anywhere near this $160 million price given the city’s recent track record?  Moreover, how god damn disrespectful does one have to be to present these bs numbers with a straight face to the public during an election period?

Of course we need more rinks but not at this price, not at the expense of bankrupting the city and preventing future investments (i.e. new city hall, curling rink, seniors centre, etc.).

Ought not someone take responsibility for this fiasco?  Is this council completely devoid of any critical thinking skills, let alone shame, can’t they see that we simply can not afford these run away building costs given the uncertainty of our times and the abnormity of needs we have?

In the words of Howard Beale, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”.  I picked up some papers last week from city hall, I need 10 cosigners, any volunteers?

No Incumbents!

MAC GORDON