There are four bids being considered for the contract to build the multi-use indoor turf facility.
Two companies that came forward back in January are local, Finn Way General Contractor Incorporated and the Tom Jones Corporation.
The highest bid belongs to Wright Construction Western Incorporated out of Saskatoon, which put together an unofficial bid of $45,195,000.00.
The Bids
Wright Construction Western Incorporated $45,195,000.00
Penn-co Construction Canada (2003) Limited $39,685,843.00
Finn Way General Contractor Incorporated $37,803,020.00
Tom Jones Corporation $37,394,000.00
City records show council is being advised to vote for Tom Jones at Monday night’s meeting.
However, one of the councillors who is not wavering in his opposition to what he calls the present approach is Brian Hamilton.
He hopes the vote will fail, and then council can start over in sorting out how sports venues are handled in Thunder Bay.
The McKellar representative points out as this debate has progressed, they have learned more about what it could take for the whole community to reach a broad based common goal for sports. “When we started this process, there was no pandemic. So the pandemic gave us pause, forced us to sharpen our pencils, and really look at spending and where we were.”
He is remaining optimistic the city will sort out how it handles its sports venues, together.
“I think we’re all united in building capacity, whether it’s through public or private partnerships, or wider government involvement. We just have different views on how to get there, but we will,” says Hamilton.
The city councillor points out the right plan will have broad community support. As for speculation some councillors may switch there votes tonight, he says he cannot comment on that.
