Summary#
Montréal city council approved a design-and-build contract for a new outdoor pool and a separate budget increase for soil decontamination at Baldwin Nord. The stated goal is to provide a new pool facility at the corner of rue Fullum and Terrasse Guindon in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough.
- Magil Construction Est du Canada inc. received the pool contract, worth $22,500,607.50, taxes included. The full authorized amount, including contingencies and other costs, is $27,157,357.37, taxes included.
- The contract covers design and construction of a pool pavilion, main pool, wading pool and outdoor areas, as well as decontamination and management of contaminated soil at the project site.
- The city authorized a separate $714,489.81, net of tax rebates, for soil decontamination on the Baldwin Nord site, through the environmental-liability reserve. The budget is assigned to the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough and the Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports.
- Magil was selected as the bidder with the highest final score under the tender’s evaluation system. The city must assess Magil’s performance under the contract.
What it means for you#
- Residents and pool users: The decision funds a new pool facility in Parc Baldwin. City staff describe the project as including aquatic facilities and a bathing pavilion. The decision does not set an opening date.
- City taxpayers: The city has authorized the contract’s full $27,157,357.37 cost and a separate $714,489.81 soil-decontamination budget.
- The city and contractor: Eight bids were submitted to the public call for tenders. Two passed the required quality-score threshold; Magil had the highest final score. Its bid price was lower than the other passing bid.
Money#
The city authorized $27,157,357.37, taxes included, for the pool contract, plus a separate $714,489.81, net of tax rebates, for soil decontamination.
- The contract amount includes $22,500,607.50 for the work, $2,948,918.82 for contingencies and $1,707,831.05 for other costs.
- The other-cost allowance covers items such as material testing, professional audit services, contaminated-soil tracking and site supervision.
- City staff say Magil’s total bid was 1.53% below the city’s estimate. The separate $714,489.81 allocation is funded through the environmental-liability reserve.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not give a construction timeline, completion date or pool opening date.
- It does not specify the contract’s duration or any renewal options.
- It does not state how the $714,489.81 will be divided between the borough and the parks service.
- The decision does not explain how the new facility will be operated or what, if any, user fees will apply.
Case for#
- A new facility would replace the former Baldwin pool, which city staff say had reached the end of its useful life.
- The winning bid was below the city’s estimate, and Magil’s price was lower than the other bid that passed the quality threshold.
- The decision sets aside funds for contingencies and other project costs, as well as a separate allocation for contaminated-soil work.
Case against#
- Only two of the eight bidders passed the required quality-score threshold, leaving a limited comparison among qualifying bids.
- The contract includes nearly $4.66 million for contingencies and other costs, in addition to the base work price.
- The decision gives no schedule or opening date, so residents cannot tell when the new facility will be available.