City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
Got Questions?
City of Dawson and Yukon Government are planning a new recreation facility which will be located at the corner of Dome Road and theNorth Klondike Highway.
Find answers to commonly asked questions below.
If your query is not there, feel free to contact us:
867-993-7400 ext 299
Recreation@CityofDawson.ca
City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
Our current facility, built in 2000, has significantly sunken due to the challenging ground and foundation conditions. The cost to maintain and ensure the safety and practicality of this facility as a community recreational space has become prohibitive. A new recreation centre is essential to provide safe, modern, and functional amenities that meet the needs of Dawson City residents.
The site for the new recreation centre will be at the southeast corner of Dome Road and the North Klondike Highway. This location was selected for its advantageous ground conditions, availability for immediate development, and room for future growth, including the planned Klondike Highway Subdivision.
The goal is to begin site development in 2024-25, and begin construction as soon as funding, design work, and construction plans are secured. More certain dates will be shared as the design process evolves.
City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
The progressive design-build procurement method is a collaborative project delivery approach where the design and construction phases are integrated and executed by a single entity. This method allows for a more flexible and efficient process, enabling continuous input and adjustments as the project evolves. It emphasizes teamwork, cost control, and reduced risk, often resulting in faster completion times and improved quality.
Utilizing a design-bid-build methodology previously resulted in a design estimated to cost over $90,000,000, which was not feasible. The progressive design-build approach allows for better cost management and value engineering from the outset. This method provides greater flexibility to make adjustments during the design phase, ensuring that the project remains within budget while still meeting the community's needs and expectations.
There are numerous resources available that highlight the advantages of PDB. The following link provides a concise overview that you may find informative:
https://nfusion.companiesofnassal.com/news/progressive-design-build-for-attractions-a-one-step-approach-with-one-team
City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
At this stage, no final decision on the programming spaces to be included has occurred.
A shortlist of spaces is being reviewed by the working group, to determine the priorities, viable sizing and functionality of these potential spaces.
The programming spaces being reviewed for the project include:
These spaces were shortlisted based on a feasbility study and public engagement.
A pool is not planned for this facility. Based on the estimates received during feasibility studies on a new facility, it was deemed too expensive to construct.
City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
Funding for this facility is earmarked from the Yukon Government's portion of Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) from the federal government. To formalize the $65 million earmarked for the new recreation facility, a conceptual design must be submitted by September to the federal government. Should a plan not be satisfactorily presented by this time, this funding will be re-allocated to other community needs within the Territory.
Utilizing the Progressive Design Build model for procurement, will include a guaranteed maximum price from the contractor for construction, which will ensure the capital costs associated to the building are within the funding we currently have.
Estimating and ensuring the new building envelope and programming spaces are affordable for City of Dawson to operate and maintain are of high priority in the planning of this facility.
We plan to utilize and construct the facility with energy efficient systems that are easy to maintain locally.
Strategies will be implemented to reduce expenses while maintaining functionality. Community partnerships and programs will be considered to generate revenue, and offset costs.
City of Dawson
NEW RECREATION CENTRE
This project is being managed by Yukon Government, in collaboration with City of Dawson and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.
City of Dawson has appointed its Recreation Board to act as advisors on this project, to assist in making recommendations to council on this project.
Wildstone Construction has been hired to do the design and construction of this project.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in has been involved in the planning stages of this project for a number of years.
They are informed and consulted through meetings with staff and joint City of Dawson and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief and Council meetings.
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in also has two appointed members to the Recreation Board (Nathan Dewell and Ashley Bower-Bramadat).
Community involvement is vital in developing a new recreation center in Dawson City. The public was utilized during the feasibility planning and has been engaged with numerous times in the past on facility development.
The Recreation Board is also acting as an advisory group on this project and consists of diverse community members to ensure the facility meets the varied needs and interests of the community.
The Recreation Board has been meeting regularly since April 2024 to review information and provide input to City of Dawson.
The group has also met with representatives from Yukon Government, and our recently hired contractor (Wildstone) to review and provide feedback on planning for this project.
The group is meant to advise, and act as community champions for the planning and implementation of this project.
The Recreation Board in Dawson acts as an advisory body to City of Dawson. It has regular and appointed members, along with advisors. The current group includes Peter Menzies – Chairperson, Monna Sprokkreeff – Vice Chair, Dawn Kisoun, Megan Macdougall, Brent Macdonald, Amélie Morin, , Nathan Dewell, Helen Dewell, Diana Andrew, Ashley Bower-Bramadat.
Please contact Paul Robitaille, Parks and Recreation Manager, at
recmanager@cityofdawson.ca or 867-993-7400 ext 299.
Have more questions or things you wish to discuss?
Contact us via:
867-993-7400 ext 299
Recreation@CityofDawson.ca