KENILWORTH – Wellington North council has awarded a tender of $375,051 for renovations at the former Arthur municipal office to Fina Construction Limited.
Construction is set to start on May 1 and be completed by Oct. 1.
The building, known as the David M. Kozinets Centre and located at 146 George St., is home to the Arthur and District Chamber of Commerce, the Arthur Food Bank, and the Arthur and Area Historical Society.
The township received 12 bids from general contractors interested in the project, ranging from Fina’s low bid to $1.14 million from LUA Construction.
The township budgeted $580,000 for the renovation.
Other expenditures to come from that budget include furniture and IT costs, but township staff expect the project will still come in under budget.
During a regular meeting of council on April 7, chief building official Darren Jones said “the building is in need of lots of love.
“It’s still the orange carpet and brown paneling in many places.
“So we’re going to strip it right back to the studs, put a new roof on, redo the mechanical and electrical systems and renovate it for municipal purposes and for the food bank to return,” Jones said.
The entrance to the food bank will move from the side of the building to the rear.
“It will be quite a bit safer there as opposed to opening up into the drive aisle,” Jones said.
Councillor Lisa Hern said she gets a lot of questions about renovations at the building because she is involved with the Arthur Chamber of Commerce and also volunteers with the food bank.
“I’m very thankful that the clearance issue going downstairs is going to be rectified,” Hern said. “I’ve almost hit my head on that a few times.”
She asked about the wide range in tender bids.
Jones said, “I didn’t reach out to the highest bidders, but with the lowest bid, they had a glowing recommendation from the City of Guelph fire department.
“And I went through a phone interview with them and they seem to have captured all the appropriate pieces to the puzzle.”
According to a township report, staff are satisfied that Fina has the:
- ability, capacity and skill to provide the goods and services required;
- ability to preform the contract or provide the services promptly at the time specified without delays; and
- reputation, experience and efficiency to complete the project.
