By Michael V. Hannigan/HCNow
Cain Center sticker shock set in for the Athens City Council Monday night and along with it, some second thoughts.
Council members held an hour-long discussion with members of the Cain Center construction and design team during their regular meeting and heard an estimated total price — AFTER some engineering cuts — of about $8.5 million.
That pricetag is significantly higher than any projection to date and reflects just how much mechanical and electrical systems in the Cain Center have deteriorated over the years, according to construction officials.
The news seemed to hit the council hard.
“This has ballooned to the point of absurdity,” said Councilman Edward McCain. “We can’t afford it.”
Council members called for a special workshop meeting (likely next week) to discuss how to move forward with the Cain Center project.
The City took over the Cain Center last year and announced the plan was to “permanently relocate its administrate services to the Cain Center, including the Police Department and Fire/Rescue Administration. In addition, the City will consider improvements to the recreational uses at the facility, including a complete overhaul of the Cain Center pool.”
McCain and Mayor Monte Montgomery went on the record last month saying they didn’t feel there would be enough money left after the Cain Center construction to build a police department, but even they didn’t project the price to be has high as was estimated this week.
In December 2016, the City Council approved issuing certificates of obligation to raise about $12.1 million, $10.5 million of which was earmarked for the Cain Center and police department project.
McCain and Montgomery have said they believe any money left over from the Cain Center project should be used on needed repairs for the wastewater system.
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