NAB price tag now $11 million
by Michelle Minnoch

With some changes to the New Administration Building (NAB) project, council received a recommendation Wednesday night which would bring the total cost of the project to $11,605,000.

"The NAB committee and Aecon have been spending the past two weeks verifying requirements if the RFD and negotiating pricing," said David Main of MHPM.

Going with a trapezoidal canopy at the front of the NAB, Main said it was important the entrance was highly visible. Gary Stanhope, of MHPM, stated the canopy would offer people protection.

Councillor Wauchope agreed, saying the extended canopy would keep people dry from the elements.

Another change Stanhope said the committee felt strongly about was the unique look of the council chambers with a gabled roof, instead of a flat roof.

Mayor Brian Jackson expressed concern with the

open style concept in the interior of the chambers, with the visible duct work and the effect of the acoustics in the council chambers.

"I am overly concerned in the acoustics in there," he said.

Main stated the project would include a acoustics consultant.

Another change was brought to the design of the council chambers and the community rooms.

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"The original design did not have rooms off of the council chambers," said Stanhope. With the community rooms off of the chambers with removable partitions, Stanhope said the audience space can be accommodated and grow out.

"The committee felt this was a much better design," he said.

While the original design included retracted seating instead of fixed in the chambers, the new design focused in theatre style seating, fully accessible and barrier free. Council would be eight to ten inches off of the main floor and audience seating would gradually incline 12 to 14 inches.

Regarding energy and efficient, the NAB could receive basic LEED certification.

"The opportunity remains to still pursue LEED silver," said Stanhope.

He said the committee would consider the use of T5 High Energy Lighting.

"There is a higher end energy lighting fixture," said Stanhope, stating it would result in longer term savings.

Another change would be squaring off the building outside Mayor's office, adding an additional 1500 square feet. The existing space, functional for both the upper and lower levels, would be used for additional administration purposes.

Main said the additional floor space could relate to additional expansion space if needed in the near future.

The cost for the trapezoidal canopy/drive connection is $36,105, for LEED silver/T5 lighting is $70,000, change to council chambers/ theatre style seating is $40,650, and $147,380 for additional floor space.