FERGUS – The new Centre Wellington operations centre in north Fergus is now estimated to ring in at $44 million, council heard at its Nov. 5 committee of the whole meeting.
That’s a steep climb from the original projection of $10 million in 2007 and a subsequent estimate of $27 million in 2021.
But there are many reasons for the increase, such as inflation, adding two heated garage bays and a second storey to the administrative wing, and the purchase of the land itself, staff explained.
The facility, to be built at 965 Gartshore Street, will house multiple departments – public works, parks, IT, engineering, planning, source water protection, water services and building – for a total of about 100 employees.
There will also be a large meeting room with capacity for 50 people to accommodate training sessions for staff. The space can be sectioned into smaller meeting rooms.
Public works and parks vehicles will be stored there, as well as a mechanic’s bay for vehicle repairs.
The operations centre will also have public space, with community gardens, a greenhouse, connections with trails, and a small arboretum.
It will be constructed of sustainable building materials and its sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, permeable pavers, solar panels, a naturalized stormwater management area and EV charging stations.
Managing director of infrastructure Colin Baker said it was “unique” in the municipal world to have all these features, adding the building should meets the township’s needs until at least 2041.
The township will take on $26 million in debt to construct the facility, but payments on the debt will come from development charges.
Reserves and proceeds from the sale of decommissioned public works garages, which won’t be required once the operations centre is running, are expected to cover the balance.
“There will be no effect on the tax rate – none,” township treasurer Adam McNabb assured councillors.
The township will retain the Elora and West Garafraxa works garages as well as the Fergus waterworks facility.
It will sell the Pilkington office and works garage, the Fergus East works garage at 600 Glengarry Cres., property at 205 Queen St. and surplus industrial land at 101 Gregson Ct. and 970 Gartshore St.
Treasurer Adam McNabb said the land sales should total $8 million.
Council voted to clad the administrative building in red brick to be compatible with the heritage farmhouse on the site but made no decision on a treatment for retaining walls.
Staff will return with material options and costing as the plans become more formalized.
The township will use a modified design-build model, which has staff, the contractor and designers working together on the plan from the outset.
That usually results in fewer changes during construction, better work flow, and a guaranteed maximum price, officials say.
With the building materials now decided, engineers and designers can continue working on the plan.
Staff will return to council in January with an updated report and the outcome of some grant applications, and expect to return to council with the guaranteed maximum price in February.
Once approved, construction will begin in spring 2025 and will be completed in 2026.
A second phase of construction is anticipated in another 10 years. This would be for salt storage and possible additions for fleet and materials storage on the site.
