The City of Saguenay has launched a call for tenders to carry out an environmental study as well as a preliminary geotechnical study for the construction work of the future arena that would replace the Georges-Vézina Centre.
According to what is registered on the Quebec government’s Electronic Tendering System (SEAO), bids for the provision of professional laboratory services are requested to carry out a phase 2 environmental site study.
We know that there are constraints in this area. We want to make sure that we measure them properly.
The tender was published on Friday and will close on July 15.
When we talk about geotechnics, we are talking about the study of soils, the capacity of the soils to be sure to accommodate [la construction]. There are still pipes that pass there, for example. We won’t be able to put the new center anywhere. We know that the Rat River passes behind it, so I don’t think we’ll be able to build there. We have to check all the possible places.
explained city councilor Michel Potvin.
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Part of the land behind the building is part of an infill zone, according to Michel Potvin.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Laurie Gobeil
A filling area
The municipal councilor mentioned that a large part of this location corresponds to an infill zone.
feet thick to protect against ground movements”,”text”:”This sector is not asphalted. There are reasons for that. This is definitely a filler area. The Georges-Vézina Center is partly in this area. That’s why they made a base ten feet by 15 feet thick to protect themselves from ground movements”}}”>This area is not paved. There are reasons for that. It is really a filling zone. The Georges-Vézina Centre is partly in this zone. That is why they had made a base ten feet by 15 feet thick to protect against ground movements.
he indicates.
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It is still unclear where the future arena will be located precisely on the land.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Laurie Gobeil
The choice of new in 2023
It was in August 2023 that elected officials announced that they were aiming for the construction of a new amphitheater within five to seven years, rather than the renovation of the current sports center, following a long saga. This option was chosen instead of calling on the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports and Outdoor Infrastructure (PAFIRSPA) to renovate the building. The grant would have been a maximum of $20 million.
The elected officials have allocated a sum of $775,000 to carry out the work on phase 1. During next Wednesday’s meeting, the elected officials should grant between 1 to 2 million in order to continue the process, specifies Michel Potvin.
The goal is to make a functional and technical plan like we did with the soccer stadium to make it turnkey. This is what was most successful in all our projects
indicates Michel Potvin, recalling that the objective is to complete the functional and technical plan in 2025.
