As a candidate for Mayor of the Town of Mount Royal, I would like to clarify my position on the Sports and Community Centre (SCC) file.
Since my election in November 2021, I have consistently supported the creation of a modern, accessible, and structuring sports facility for our town — but not at any cost, and certainly not at the expense of residents’ trust.
I have never voted against building a sports centre.
I supported the Poirier–Fontaine 1.0 version, which was based on a structured planning process. At the time, it would have been preferable to return to the call-for-tenders stage quickly, with a few minor adjustments, rather than start over from scratch.
However, I voted against Peter Malouf’s 2.0 version.
Relaunching a project presented as “similar” brought no real added value in terms of costs or timelines. Moreover, the choice of a design–build model was made without any clear evaluation of the steps, costs, quality, or timelines.
This approach carries major risks: it could triple the municipal debt, jeopardize the town’s long-term financial stability, and lead to a significant tax increase.
During the special Town Council meeting on April 28, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. (3min24), (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zARQ19ml_IA), I voted in favor of awarding the contract to the consortium ÉQUIPE SPORTS ET COMMUNAUTÉ VMR for $89,413,617 (taxes included).
This decision, made with caution and clear-eyed realism, was taken because, at such an advanced stage, there was unfortunately no longer any realistic alternative to move the project forward.
However, I continue to strongly denounce:
- the lack of transparency throughout the process;
- more than four years of accumulated delays;
- millions of dollars wasted on outdated studies and plans;
- the loss of 3,200 m² of gross building area compared to the original 2021 project;
- the absence of reliable and publicly available cost estimates;
- the fiscal uncertainty for residents due to increased municipal debt;
- as well as quality risks associated with the design–build model.
Comparative Cost Analysis
- Area and Project Evolution
• 2021: 14,599 m²
• 2025: 11,402 m² (–21.9%) - Construction Costs (including taxes)
• 2021 (turnkey project, EBC version): $88.4 M
• 2025 (smaller building, without landscaping, green roof, HQ connections, etc.): $89.4 M - Effect of Inflation (2021–2025)
• Cumulative increase in construction costs: approx. $33.4 M / +37.86% - Additional Costs from Delays and Changes
• Outdated plans and drawings: $2.9 M
• Lost subsidy: $3.0 M
• Prequalification and studies: $1.2 M
• Other costs: $1.7 M
→ Total additional costs: $8.8 M
My Key Findings Are Clear
- Four years of delays have led to a significant increase in overall expenses.
- Construction cost indexation between 2020 and 2025 alone added more than $33 M to the total cost.
- There remains a lack of transparency regarding the additional costs generated by delays and successive changes.
- The building program was reduced by 21.9% of total area (3,197 m²) to partially offset inflation impacts.
- The estimated fiscal impact for households is at least $1,200 per year for a single-family home valued at $2 M.
- These overruns and delays are the direct result of Peter Malouf’s administration and the council memberswho supported this late and poorly prepared policy shift.
Conclusion
- By replacing the original project with the current version since 2021, Peter Malouf’s team has significantly increased the financial burden on taxpayers.
- The officially announced cost of $89.4 M (taxes included) does not include the $8.8 M already incurred due to delays and changes since 2021. This brings the total estimated cost to $98.2 M (taxes included) — a provisional amount, since the project is not yet finalized.
- To partially contain this increase, the building area was reduced by 21.9% (3,197 m²), but this does not compensate for the $33.4 M in construction cost indexation between 2020 and 2025.
- In addition, choosing the design–build model instead of the original turnkey approach carries a higher risk of lower quality and weaker execution control.
- Taxpayers deserve better than a scaled-down, delayed project weighed down by poorly prepared political decisions.
My Commitment Going Forward
- Deliver a modern, functional, and accessible sports centre that truly meets community needs.
- Ensure strict and transparent oversight of the consortium’s work to limit any cost overruns.
- Publish a clear and regularly updated dashboard showing costs, progress, and changes.
- Assign a strengthened oversight and accountability role to the CCU to ensure adherence to budgets and timelines.
- Make operating costs fully public to avoid any unpleasant fiscal surprises.
- Clarify the real tax impact before the project’s completion.
“On November 2, choose and vote for Équipe Maryam to restore rigour, transparency, and accountability at the heart of our town.”
Maryam Kamali Nezhad, Eng., Ph.D.
Candidate for Mayor of the Town of Mount Royal