At a special meeting on Nov. 8, Centre Wellington councillors approved tenders for close to $1 million for replacement of the West Mill Street sewage pumping station project and associated work.
The lowest of four bids came from Xterra Construction Inc. of Kitchener for $974,176 inclusive of allowances (for contingency, landscaping, hydro service, termite treatment, electrical panel decorative wrap and temporary sidewalk) in the amount of $208,000 and excluding HST.
The recommendation to accept the Xterra tender came from Wes Snarr, Centre Wellington’s managing director of corporate services.
He noted the estimated project is roughly $96,770 over budget and should be funded from the township’s sanitary sewer capital reserve.
Director of infrastructure Colin Baker said the proposed structure went through a class environmental assessment completed in 2015. Baker said there has been a public process and ministry approvals were received.
“At this time staff are recommending (we) award to the tender to Xterra,” he said.
The intent is for construction to start in January and to be completed by mid-May.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked why the estimate was $96,700 over budget.
Baker said some of the overrun is related to shifting the project forward. Members of the Elora BIA want to minimize the impact to their businesses so construction was planned for immediately after the Christmas season.
“With winter construction, there is a bit of a cost premium – dealing with weather and frost,” Baker said.
Council voted to proceed with the project.
