WATCH ABOVE: A nearly $1 million addition to the Federal Building site is raising the ire of the opposition parties. Tom Vernon explains.
EDMONTON – The nearly $400 million Federal Building project is sparking debate once again — this time, for a part of the project that was scrapped.
Back when the Federal Building restoration project was announced in 2008, the public plaza was one of the big promises made by then-premier Ed Stelmach. The plaza was to include a skating rink for the winter.
In 2013, several cuts were made to the project to save money. About $10 million was saved, $1 million of which was because the planned skating rink was cancelled.
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“The one thing that the public could have enjoyed — the skating rink — is the one thing they decided to cut,” said Wildrose MLA Shayne Saskiw.
Prior to the cancellation, though, a building was constructed with public change rooms, lockers and a garage for a future zamboni. Obviously, now that there isn’t a skating rink, a zamboni won’t be parked in the garage.
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The Wildrose says, during these tough economic times, decisions like these highlight how the PCs plan.
“Compare this $1 million garage to the fact that two months ago, there were bursting pipes at the Misericordia,” said Saskiw.
“Or while this government is doing the finishing touches on the plumbing in the Sky Palace, they’re delaying new space for cancer patients in Calgary.”
The area will still be used as a public plaza with features like fountains, trees and benches.
A government spokesperson said while the garage won’t store a zamboni, it will be used for maintenance equipment like shovels and tractors to maintain the grounds.
With files from Tom Vernon, Global News
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