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2008 News and Information

Roof Protection to be Replaced at Richmond Oval; Project Remains on Schedule and on Budget

17 April 2008

The Richmond-VANOC project team is taking steps to replace a portion of the roof membrane system which covers and protects the wood roof panels at the Richmond Oval.

Over the past two months, tests have determined that some fungi and algae have developed on one of the insulation layers covering the Oval roof.

“The fungi and algae are not a threat to public health or structural integrity,” said Greg Scott, Director of Major Projects for the City. “However, in order to ensure that it does not lead to more serious problems in the future, we are acting prudently to replace the roof membrane with an improved membrane system now.”

The Oval project remains on budget and on schedule, opening in the fall of 2008. The main roof structure is complete and work is now focusing on the completion of the Oval’s exterior and interior finishing and landscaping. The strategy to replace and complete the roof membrane system does not interfere with the remaining construction work schedule.

The replacement costs will be covered by owner’s allowance contingency funds included within the $178 million project budget. Pending final results of investigations into the cause of the problem, the City expects to recoup the replacement costs which are estimated at $2.2 million.

“The roof membrane system we used at the Oval is commonly used throughout the industry,” said Scott. “Normally these problems would not be discovered until years after installation with potentially more serious consequences. Our due diligence in conducting tests during the installation allowed for early discovery and remedy of the problem.”

The current roof protective system includes two layers of insulation covered by a protective membrane. The fungi and algae has developed on the paper covering of one layer of insulation.