City council formally approved a $5.5-million increase to the budget of Orillia’s proposed recreation project this week, but not before some members voiced strong objections to the escalating cost.

An “annoyed” Tim Lauer objected to what he described as the “living budget” that has surged since the project’s inception.

“Whatever is pushing it up, we just … acclimatize ourselves to (it),” he said. “When we all used to get dizzy thinking about a $43-million facility, we bumped it up, then we got used to a $50-million (project), and then we bump it up to $60 million and we will get used to that as well.”

Others, however, argued the higher estimate was necessary for prudent financial planning.

“I see this as just fiscally recognizing the potential issues that face the city when it comes to funding major capital initiatives,” said Joe Fecht.

Paul Spears concurred.

“These are just strictly estimates, we don’t know what the costs are going to be until the actuals come in,” said Spears.

The higher budget ensures “we have everything in place, just in case something happens,” added Ralph Cipolla.

Coun. Don Evans warned that an approval of the increased budget creates “the expectation, no question about it, that an additional $5.5 million is almost certain to be committed to the project.”

Evans recently suggested the city relocate the project to a rural property earmarked for Lakehead University’s permanent campus, arguing that both facilities could be accommodated there.

He stressed that he was not elected on a mandate to locate the recreation complex on the contaminated West Street property.

“It is imperative that members of this council not simply go along with the flow around this important issue,” Evans added.

The rising cost has been blamed on delays that have plagued the project since its inception, namely ongoing concerns over the suitability of a polluted property chosen to house the facility.

Council is still awaiting an answer on a resubmitted safety plan for the property, twice rejected by the province as inadequate.

Councillors Tim Lauer, Michael Fogarty, Don Evans, and Maurice McMillan opposed the budget increase.

Councillors Wayne Gardy, Ralph Cipolla, Paul Spears, Joe Fecht, and Mayor Ron Stevens supported it.

Lauer said he hopes to find savings in the project.

“I think there are some things that can be reduced, and there will be no need to put these additional funds in for inflationary costs,” he added.