Kincardine council

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Kincardine council has hired a Mississauga company to do the $1-million restoration of the old town hall, now the Kincardine Arts Centre, at 707 Queen St. in Ward 1.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (July 7), economic development and tourism manager Steve Murray recommended awarding the tender for the project to Roof Tile Management, at a total price of $830,000.

The project received two-thirds funding from the federal and provincial governments through the Building Canada Fund, so of the total price tag of $993,300, Kincardine has to pay only about $300,000. Already $60,000 is going to cover architectural fees, leaving $933,300 for the construction.

Murray said the main part of the project will cost $762,000, including:

• Demolition of the Bluewater Summer Playhouse office addition, and removal of all existing windows and doors, existing canopies, and the exterior brick walkway at the northeast corner
• An extensive amount of masonry with repointing, brick replacement and repair of cracks in mortar and masonry
• Reconstruction and installation of wood windows, construction of new interior wood shutters for theatre windows, restoration of rest of the windows, and reconstruction and installation of exterior wood doors
• Reconstruction of the west gable end, replacement of asphalt singles at the connection between the arts centre and former firehall, and spot repairs of existing shingles
• Reconstruction of the northeast veranda and installation of new permeable paver walkway system.

The tender includes $22,000 for renovating the public washrooms; $23,000 for renovation of the servery and entrance vestibule; and $23,000 for reconstruction of the wood storm windows.

Murray said the other two portions of the project would be set aside for now unless there is money left over. These include construction and installation of the bell cupola on the roof of the building; and work on the west facade main entrance, glazing, canopy, exterior walkway, steps and railings.

"We would like to secure pricing with the chosen contractor on the potential to do a portion of the west facade work, such as removal of the existing entrance canopy and demolition of the ground floor central bay wall, complete with masonry, windows, doors and blue tiles, should finances become available," said Murray. "We currently have about $100,000 remaining in our budget, part of which will be needed for contingency purposes."

He told council the contractor said he can have the project done by the deadline of March 31, 2011.

"I don't think anything should be cut from the project," said councillor Guy Anderson. "We should do it all and if more money is needed, take it from the (arts endowment) reserve. We should fix up the building to the maximum we can do."

Councillor Randy Roppel agreed, saying the work on the west side entrance is worthwhile, given it is the side of the building that most of the public sees. "If we're going to spend this kind of money, let's do the whole thing right and move on. We're never going to see a new facility built so fix up the one we have."

Councillor Kenneth Craig cautioned spending all that reserve money because once the exterior is fixed up, there is work to be done on the interior of the building, such as upgrading the theatre area, the heating and cooling systems, and the electrical and mechanical systems.

"I support the staff recommendation," said councillor Ron Hewitt. "Let's get the project started and then these additional things can be done at a later time. We have to get the major work done."

"I say we do it all at once and get it done," said Anderson.

"Our number one enemy on this project is time," said chief administrative officer John deRosenroll. "We need to move this along."

"It also needs to be done in good weather," added councillor Marsha Leggett.

Council agreed to award the tender to Roof Tile Management and get the project under way.

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Wednesday, July 07, 2010