After a six-month search, the City of Cambridge announced that Council has awarded the construction contract for the new Cambridge Recreation Complex to Melloul-Blamey Construction.

In March 2024, construction companies were invited to apply for the expansive project, to be built in the south end of the city. Five submissions were received by the April 23 deadline. They were then rated by corporate experience and qualifications, similar project experience, approach and work plan, key project personnel and references. From there, three contractors were placed on the short list, and two submitted bids.

“Having a respected builder from Waterloo Region helps create jobs here in our community and again demonstrates that we have an expert labour pool with industry leaders operating locally,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “Residents will soon be able to swim, learn and play in this beautiful modern campus they were part of creating. It will quickly become a place where people connect from across Cambridge and beyond. Our city is growing rapidly, and the Cambridge Recreation Complex creates an opportunity for current residents to meet and welcome new neighbours into our community. Residents can come to the Complex and go for a swim, enjoy the therapeutic pool, pack a picnic to eat in the park, or have a bite to eat in the café, check out a book from the Cambridge Public Library, and read it in the reading garden all from one location. It’s important that we invest in the infrastructure of the human spirit by ensuring that residents have access to amenities such as these.”

The construction budget of the Recreation Complex was estimated to be $90,050,950. Melloul Blamey Construction submitted the lowest bid, at $93,150,000 and Council approved additional funding of $3,233,600 to meet the three percent difference in budget, as well as contingencies and soft costs.

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“I’m excited to see the Cambridge Recreation Complex added to the list of amenities offered to residents of the city,” said City Manager, David Calder. “Through Council’s support, this project, like the Soccer Complex that opened earlier this year and the current Preston Memorial Auditorium renovation, will provide additional options for residents to come together and stay active. This joint use campus will serve the city’s growing and changing population with increased recreation and wellness opportunities, provide collaborative spaces to gather, and will attract visitors and organized sports to our city. I look forward to construction getting underway and seeing this space soon come to life.”

The Cambridge Recreation Complex will include:

  • A 10 lane, 25m swimming pool and warm water leisure pool
  • 3 FIBA sized basketball courts
  • A running/walking track and fitness area
  • Multi-purpose rooms
  • Cambridge Public Library branch
  • Park amenities

The Recreation Complex will be part of a joint use campus that will include a new Catholic and public school, and daycare. It will be built on 32.5 acres of City owned land in the neighbourhood of Dundas Street South and Branchton Road. Construction on the joint use campus is expected to begin in October.

“It’s exciting to be one step closer to breaking ground on this project. The Cambridge Recreation Complex is a great opportunity to partner with the Cambridge Public Library, the Waterloo Region District School Board, and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for this joint use campus. Families will be able to bring their children to school, drop younger kids at daycare, and come for swimming lessons after school all from one convenient location,” said Shane Taylor, manager of Recreation, Placemaking Capital Projects.

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Featured image: (City of Cambridge)

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