A quartet of councillors will investigate potential alternatives to Orillia’s troubled recreation project.

A complete cleanup of the contaminated West Street property is among several concepts to be contemplated by an ad hoc committee formed on Monday evening.

“That would certainly be something to look at,” suggested Tim Lauer, who pushed for the committee’s formation.

Early estimates pegged the cost of a total cleanup at about $20 million, Lauer said.

While pricey, full remediation would eliminate the need for costly gas venting systems and offsite work while possibly encouraging financial support from upper levels of government, he said.

Lauer in his report said that, “if council wished to erase all environmental doubts for the 50-year life of the building, then council would be wise to look more closely at that option.”

Council would be wise to develop a contingency plan, should the present site be deemed unworkable, he added.

Members must also consider the impact of repeated delays on the project’s cost.

“If council is to manage this project properly, it is imperative that council have a full appreciation of the situation and all the specifics about possible alternative strategies,” Lauer added.

Councillors Michael Fogarty, Ralph Cipolla and Joe Fecht will join Lauer on the committee.

The group will attempt to find answers to a host of questions ranging from the timetable for the third risk assessment to the likelihood of an appeal and how that would delay the project.

Council can then decide whether an alternative strategy is necessary, Lauer said.

“We need to get a handle on where we are with the assessment,” he added.

Wayne Gardy took issue with the tone of Lauer’s report, charging that it contained “five insults” to council members.

In sharp contrast, Don Evans called Lauer’s proposal “a refreshing change in thinking,” given the uncertainty surrounding the project.

Lauer suggested that council might want to consider proceeding with small-scale recreation projects without compromising “the grander vision of a true multi-use facility,” in turn relieving pressure on some local recreation groups.

Meanwhile, 96 per cent of the more than 620 votes cast in a recent online poll by Orillia Today favoured moving the project to a clean site.

“They just back up what I am getting from hockey dressing rooms to work to wherever,” added Lauer, while stressing that he was not prepared to take the poll as a scientific indicator. “There are sincere concerns there. People want to make sure that the property they are putting this thing on is safe.”

All council members are welcome to sit in on the committee’s meetings, he added.