Township council has removed plans for two windows in a bid to keep costs down on the Maryborough Community Centre renovation project.
At the May 8 meeting, council was presented with a recommendation from public works director Sam Mattina to approve an additional expenditure of about $43,605 plus HST to complete the project, to be funded from surplus funds from 2018 bridge and culvert capital projects.
Mattina explained in a report that on Feb. 18 council authorized staff to proceed with additional expenditures of $219,500 to complete the project.
“That initial estimate amount has fallen short of the actual submitted quotations to perform all of the scheduled items, including the stage option chosen by council through a subsequent resolution … The additional shortfall being realized is $43,605,” the report states.
Councillor Michael Martin expressed concern about mounting project costs.
“We’re up at $820,000 already on a renovation,” said Martin.
“How confident are you that these quotes that we are getting are fair market value quotes and what sort of systems do we have in place to try and ensure that?”
“Our architect, VG of Branford, has been very diligent in gathering the quotations with the contractor and negotiating each particular one. We’ve had quite a number of change orders … I’m confident they have a great paper trail of all these transactions and counter offers and discussions on these quotations, so I’m confident that VG has been quite vigilant in getting us the best prices for these change orders.”
Extra light not needed
Martin asked if any of the additional expenditures being requested could be eliminated in light of the overruns.
“The only item I can see from the list that can be eliminated is the new windows at the front of the building,” Mattina responded.
“With the installation of the patio door to the back it brings in substantial light now to the lower hall … They’ll be no advantage to having the additional light from the other end of the building.”
Councillor Dennis Craven asked about the timeline for completing the project.
“Is there any hope this will be ready by mid-June?” he asked.
“There is a significant amount of work still to be done … I’m hoping that if we get moving right away, we get approval, the contractor has committed that they will complete this project by the due date of June 30,” Mattina responded.
Council agreed to eliminate the front windows, saving roughly $11,500 and approved the remaining additional expenses totaling about $32,000.
The township received a provincial contribution of $259,800 through the Ontario 150 Community Capital Grant Program for the project.
