CLIENT: City of Kelowna
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PRI was engaged by the City of Kelowna to provide contract administration and civil engineering support for the Ballou Neighbourhood Park development. PRI joined the project approximately 10% into construction and remained engaged through to final closeout and warranty. Services included landscape oversight, field reviews, contractor coordination, payment certification, and full project closeout documentation.
CHALLENGE:
The project presented several compounding challenges from the outset. Construction originally slated for completion in late 2022 was delayed well into 2023, requiring sustained field presence and administrative support beyond the initial schedule. Errors in the original Schedule of Quantities generated multiple change orders that required careful negotiation, analysis, and documentation. Additionally, field execution of key layout elements, including gravel trails, playground curbing, and site grading, did not initially meet design standards, necessitating active intervention to preserve design intent throughout construction.
APPROACH:
PRI provided day-to-day contract administration including change order processing, inspection coordination, and progress tracking against contractual requirements. Regular field reviews were conducted to verify compliance with Issued for Construction drawings, with deficiencies documented and followed up with the contractor. PRI collaborated closely with the landscape design team to ensure that planting beds, playground features, and public realm amenities were constructed in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. Payment certificates were reviewed for each progress draw, with claimed quantities reconciled against actual completed work in accordance with MMCD payment terms. On-site layout guidance was provided throughout construction to clarify and enforce design intent, particularly for hardscape elements. PRI also provided technical support for playground equipment installation to ensure alignment with safety standards and design expectations, and carried the project through final inspection, deficiency coordination, Total Performance certification, and one-year warranty inspections.
OUTCOME:
PRI successfully delivered contract administration through an extended and complex construction timeline, maintaining design integrity and cost control through clear communication and active site oversight. All change orders were administered and documented, and contractor payments were kept aligned with actual completed work. Full closeout documentation was delivered, including Total Performance coordination, record drawings, and warranty inspection services. The project demonstrates PRI’s capacity to provide responsive, field-ready contract administration on urban park projects, including the ability to step in mid-construction, manage evolving conditions, and see a project through to successful completion.