Duane Hicks
While more and more of the work gets done at the future Rainy Lake Square each day, plans for a grand opening and first Saturday market are on hold for now.
Top 40 cover band “Pop Vegas” still will perform the fourth and final concert in the “Rainy Lake 150” series tomorrow (Oct. 5) from 6-8 p.m. on the 200 block of Scott Street.
But any other plans have been put off until all work is done at the square, economic development consultant Tannis Drysdale said.
“Given the delays [and the weather today], we thought it best not to set a first market date until we have the keys to the square,” she told the Times.
“It has taken a bit longer than we expected or would have liked, but it is sure looking like it is going to be an amazing space and it will be worth the wait,” added Drysdale.
Plans will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
In the meantime, Operations and Facilities manager Travis Rob said Monday afternoon it’s possible the site could be utilized as soon as this Friday if the weather holds out.
All of the structures at the site are up, with the roof deck on the stage to be completed.
The stage deck is complete and the backdrop is being prepared to go up.
As well, all of the light standards are installed and fixtures installed on them while the festoon lighting is installed and ready to be wired.
The electrical panel arrived Monday and was mounted.
The paving stone is laid and cut in well over 50 percent of the site and will be sanded and tamped (weather permitting) as soon as possible.
The benches and other site furnishings are being installed as the stone gets put in.
All of the hand rails should be here today or tomorrow, and be installed immediately.
The trees and shrubs are installed in the rear of the site and as soon as the stone is swept in, installation will begin at the front of the site, noted Rob.
The stone at the rear of the site is being laid, and will be cut in and sanded.
All of the curb work is done, as is all the plumbing.
“There are a ton of people on-site right now finishing everything up,” said Rob.
He added the contractor (RML) plans to be ready for the town to utilize the site by Friday afternoon this week, with the final finishing works to be completed after that point.
“However, days like today [Monday] do nothing to help the work progress,” he conceded.
“For example, the stone can’t be sanded and tamped when it is wet, which impacts the ability to do other works in the front portion of the site, which, when completion is this close, could delay the overall completion,” Rob said.
“In conclusion, everything is on-site to complete the works, including workers,” he remarked.
“Now we need the weather to co-operate through this week as we push to the finish line.”
