Cambridge council to consider $94 million tender for Recreation Complex and Idea Exchange

The much-anticipated recreation complex in Cambridge is set to take another massive step forward.

City of Cambridge councilors will consider awarding the tender for the construction of the Recreation Complex and Idea Exchange in the area of Dundas Street and Branchton Road at their meeting on Tuesday.

City staff have recommended awarding the tender to Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc., a Waterloo-based company who have built and are building some notable projects around Waterloo Region.

That includes the Waterloo Regional Police Central Division building in downtown Kitchener, and the under-construction Baker Street Public Library in Guelph.

The construction company offered the lowest bid for the project at just over $94 million, that’s $4 million over the previously-approved budget.

Staff are set to pull extra funding from Development Charges debt, tax-supported debt, and more. City staff will reportedly work with Melloul-Blamey to find where they can save some money in the build, but it has already been identified that any substantial savings would be impossible without making major changes to the design of the complex.

When the project was first conceived nearly 10 years ago, the budget was set at about $53 million.

Once built, the Recreation Complex and Idea Exchange is set to offer a wide range of activities for all kinds of people, including facilities for swimming, running, basketball, volleyball, and of course a library.

Council approved the concept for the project in May.

Once the project is started, the 27-month planned construction puts the grand opening in the Fall of 2026.