City funds park studies for outdoor gym

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a decision to increase Verdun’s operating-budget allocation by $108,343.91, net of tax rebates, from the city’s contaminated-soils environmental liability reserve. The money is for preparatory studies for an outdoor gym at parc Arthur-Therrien; city staff say the studies are needed because the site was formerly used for waste disposal.

  • The decision funds environmental and geotechnical studies. It does not itself award a contract or approve construction of the gym.
  • Verdun must report its spending to the city’s Environment Department every three months. The allocation can be reduced if actual spending is lower than estimated.

What it means for you#

  • Verdun borough: The borough receives the budget increase and is responsible for reporting spending quarterly. The decision summary says the City of Montréal’s central administration covers the cost in full.
  • People using parc Arthur-Therrien: The decision funds preparatory studies for a proposed outdoor gym, but does not itself build the gym or change public access to the park.

Money#

The estimated cost of the studies is $118,650.71, taxes included, or $108,343.91, net of tax rebates.

  • The city’s contaminated-soils reserve funds the net amount. The estimate includes $10,786.43, taxes included, for contingencies.
  • Funding is capped at the approved estimate and will be reduced if actual spending is lower.

What is unclear#

  • The decision does not set out when the studies will be completed or when gym construction might happen.
  • No publicly available information on the gym’s construction cost is included in these materials.
  • The staff summary describes a planned assignment to Groupe ABS inc. under an existing framework agreement, but this council decision itself only increases Verdun’s budget allocation.

Case for#

  • City staff say the studies are a legal requirement for work at this former waste-disposal site and are intended to support environmental compliance and safety.
  • Using the city’s contaminated-soils reserve means the borough does not bear the cost from its own budget, according to the staff summary.

Case against#

  • This decision pays for preparatory studies, not construction, so it does not ensure that the outdoor gym will be built.
  • The decision does not provide the total cost or schedule for the wider gym project.