Work on upgrading the Civic Plaza to Winter Games-ready status is a week in.
IDL Projects is carrying out the work scheduled to wrap up by Oct. 27 to turn the existing space into more of a celebration spot during the 2015 Games and a legacy project afterwards.
IDL successfully bid on the project for a cost of $776,169. Total project funding adds up to $944,633 with the majority coming from the city ($500,000) and the rest from Northern Development Initiatives Trust ($30,000), the province's Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Francophone Affairs program ($79,633) and the federal government's Building Community through Arts and Heritage program ($335,000).
The remainder of the funds will be used to cover architect and design fees as well as internal project costs, said recreation and cultural services director Rob Whitwham.
"We expect that the total funding we have will be fully expended on the project," he said.
The construction work won't affect Civic Centre operations and the plaza isn't typically well-used over the summer, said Civic Centre manager Myles Tycholis, outside of the water feature used by families with children. That water feature will be a part of the updated space.
"It's actually going to be enhanced so it's going to be a little more interactive and more play friendly for kids," Tycholis said.
The final design - presented to city council in April - was scaled down from the river-themed sketches presented at a public open house last August. Missing from the final design are stage and podium features for medal ceremonies and entertainment during the two-week event next February.
"It's actually the Winter Games that's working on the stage piece and that will be one of the legacy items that gets left behind after the Games are done," said Whitwham. "It's not part of this budget that we're talking about."
The host society is also looking for submissions for a public art feature for the plaza - an outdoor sculpture to be filled with a variety of rocks from across the country.
Last summer, visiting elders from B.C. and western Canada presented the Lheidli T'enneh with sacred rocks and precious metals when they arrived for the 37th annual B.C. Elders Gathering. Those gifts will serve as the foundation of the sculpture with additions from visiting athletes, officials, and other 2015 Canada Winter Games guests.
Artists interested in creating the sculpture can submit proposals by Aug. 29. For more information, visit www.canadagames2015.ca/gatheringoftherocks or email Karen Jeffery at kjeffery@canadagames2015.ca.
