Centre Wellington’s recreation department spent $23,500 on repairs to its heating and cooling system at the Fergus community halls, and that is fine with council.
Centre Wellington’s committee of the whole gave its okay to the project retroactively. Recreation director Andy Goldie explained in his report the 36 year old HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that heats Unity Hall at the sportplex suddenly failed.
Goldie said it was fortunate it has been a mild winter, and the township did not have to install other heaters while awaiting repairs.
He said staff immediately contacted the township’s mechanical contractor, Upper Grand Heat & Refrigeration, to investigate and then complete repairs.
Goldie said the company found the heat exchange failed and staff and the contractor proceeded to install the same type of unit at $23,500. That action was taken under the emergency purchasing procedures of the township purchasing bylaw.
“The new unit will be more energy efficient for our operations throughout the year,” Goldie’s report stated.
He added the funding is from the parks and recreation equipment replacement schedule and has been included in the draft parks and recreation capital budget for 2012.
Councillor Mary Lloyd supported staff’s response to the problem.
“It’s important to keep facilities in good working order,” she said. “It’s important that heating and cooling work as required.”
Council agreed and approved the actions. Councillors Fred Morris and Kirk McElwain were absent.
