The tender for an elevator for the Arthur community centre is proof the lowest tender is not always accepted.
Part of the Arthur arena upgrades included installation of an elevator from the main floor to the upper hall. Triton Engineering has been investigating the best location in the arena for it.
Council recently approved a bid by Delta Elevator, of Kitchener for nearly $50,000 plus applicable taxes.
Mayor Mike Broomhead explained there were two bids: one by Concorde Elevator (London) for $49,980 and Delta for $52,725.
He said after discussions with the engineers, council deemed that to accept a quote from the lowest bidder would require more structural changes to the community building to accommodate the different sized elevator.
“We went back to Triton to get the difference in price for the changes.”
Broomhead was told structural changes would cost a minimum of $10,000 to $15,000. The recommendation of Triton was to proceed with the Delta quote.
Broomhead said the elevator will be similar to the one installed in the Mount Forest arena and is proposed to be installed near the small meeting room next to the lobby. That will bring the elevator into the upper hall just outside the existing washrooms.
He said they would like to proceed with the order because of time factors. He noted the upgrades are part of provincial-federal infrastructure program, which involves a three way split of the funding.
“So our share will be one third.”
Treasurer John Jeffrey said this is the cost of the elevator itself, not the cost to put it in.
“That still has to be tendered,” Jeffrey said.
Councillor Dan Yake added the elevator for the community centre has been talked about for some time. He said the one at the Mount Forest Sportsplex has been a great asset.
“The one in Arthur will be an asset as well.”
Costs for the installation are roughly $150,000, plus the cost of the elevator, which is also covered through the two-thirds funding, Broomhead said.
