The Jackfish Breakwater as it currently sits. (Submitted Photo/Peter Wiesner)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Breakwater

Jackfish Breakwater Project heads back to drawing board

May 23, 2024 | 2:32 PM

The Jackfish Breakwater Project has hit a snag as tenders from four companies have been rejected.

“They came in far beyond what we had planned and expected – even though we had a contingency in our plan – they far exceeded that,” said Peter Wiesner, village councillor.

“We had to go back to the drawing board because it was just (inconceivable) to proceed with that project at that price level.”

According to a news release, general contractor tenders were placed in late April and according to Wiesner, the price point came in about $500,000 over the village’s budget of $1.8 million.

The project is also being supported by Moosomin First Nation, and Saulteaux First Nation and the councillor said they had followed advice and guidance from their engineer.

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“One of the problems was the budget was struck probably a year and a half to two years before the actual tenders came in,” he said.

“We did expect some growth from where our budget was in the expenses, but we did not expect that kind of difference.”

Given that the breakwater, which connects the lake to Murray Lake, was built in the 1930’s, the team in charge of the rebuild is feeling the sense of urgency as the last time it was worked on was 70 years ago. Should it fail, lake levels will change and that will impact boating and fishing.

“We’re back to a few plans, one is getting a redesign that can bring the cost down,” Wiesner said, noting they aren’t giving up.

“There’s a couple of things that we have in the fire right now.”

One of the big costs came from sheet steel that they are planning to use on the inside of the creek to help shore up the breakwater before they put the rock in place.

“The sheet steel has just shot up significantly in costs – it’s one of the things that really drive the project way over budget.”

The original plan was to have shovels in the ground by August and finish by the end of the year. Their funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will stay in place until next year but as they retender, so too do they need to get new permits or amend them.

“It’s a disappointment, there’s no question but we’re not done yet,” he said.

“We know it’s got to be done in some way, shape or form; we just know the present form we have in front of us is not going to work financially.”

In the meantime, fundraising efforts are still underway for the project and people are welcome to continue to make donations by emailing cochinadmin@sasktel.net or phone 306-386-2333.

“It’s not going to go away; the problem is not going to go away but we just need to get back on budget.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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