Replacing the Flin Flon Aqua Centre took a big step forward this week. The City of Flin Flon has awarded a tender to design and build a new pool.

City council awarded the contract for the project to Winnipeg-based Ernst Hansch Construction during council’s Nov. 16 meeting.

“I am so, so very excited about this,” said councillor Karen MacKinnon, who read out the committee recommendation at the meeting announcing the deal.

Ernst Hansch Construction has experience throughout several areas of design and construction work throughout Manitoba, overseeing the construction of sports arenas, pools, bridges and infrastructure projects, commercial and industrial properties and hospitals and health facilities.

The Reminder has reached out to Ernst Hansch Construction for comment and information on the project.

Mayor Cal Huntley said council chose the winning bid – one of three submitted – due in part to the company having northern building experience and confirming that the community will be involved in designing and building a new pool.

“These guys impressed us with regards to their experience, some of their experiences with northern and smaller northern communities and facilities. They really sold us on the ability to participate in the design and the build and consider some of the details we want to have in there,” said Huntley.

“They certainly appear very engaged in having a product that’s the City of Flin Flon’s. That was really good. All three were very, very good and I think we would have had a win with any of the three, but this was the one that just took it a notch more, I think that’s fair to say, and we were pleased to offer it to them.”

According to the project’s current timeline, the design stage will start early next year and will go for approximately six months.

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