|
A recommendation was brought forward to Saugeen Shores Town Council
on Monday night for G.M. Diemert Architect Inc. to complete tender
documents for the remaining unfinished interior section of the medical
building in Port Elgin in the amount of $20,800 plus applicable taxes.
The cost is to be funded from the town's allotment of $757,120.00 funded
through the Ontario Act Infrastructure Program.
According to the report, staff has asked for the quote to be pro-active
and "to expedite the future renovations for the remaining unfinished
section."
Since Diemert was the original architect on the project, the
recommendation was made to continue with the company in order to provide
consistency.
"We haven't even given the clinic a chance to get going to meet the
needs of the doctors that are there," said Councillor Dianne Huber, "so
what's the rush? We agreed in February, 2008 that the remaining area of
14,000 sq. ft. would be looked at at a later date when we had another
three or four doctors in the running, or am I missing something?
Also, why Diemert? We are supposed to have a process but it doesn't
seem to be followed. I have a feeling we are going to see a Diemert
plan for a pool put in front of us one day and we haven't even decided
if there will be a pool."
Dave Burnside, Director of Engineering Services replied that, "We just
wanted a tender package prepared and ready for when we want to start
construction."
There are currently four doctors in the clinic, each with a
reception/waiting area, examining rooms and office. The remaining half
of the building was closed off with a view to future development.
CAO, Ron Brown then pointed out that the Recruitment Committee has
apparently been talking to two more prospective doctors.
(next column)
13/01/2009 04:24 PM |
(continued)
Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock confirmed "... there
are doctors looking at our community and having the facility ready makes
great sense and it makes sense to go with Diemert."
Huber went on to add that, "Every project Diemert has been involved
in has cost us more money. We had a specific dollar amount for the
medical clinic and library and they both crept up. I have some concern
we are not putting enough before the architect and we are not saying
that we have cost restrictions and can't always go over them."
Councillor Luke Charbonneau agreed with Huber. "A number of projects
scheduled have been removed because of budget constraints and, here, we
have instrastructure dollars from the province to create jobs in an
economic downturn. We should be using this money for things like the
Bruce Saugeen Town Line reconstruction.
We should invest in real infrastructure and we've already spent a lot
of money on the medical centre. Again, this money was earmarked for
infrastructure and should be spent on good, old-fashioned infrastructure
projects."
"Bruce Power gave the town $50,000 toward it and we have other
donations," said Councillor Jane Barber. "The medical centre momentum
would seem to stop if we don't go ahead so we should just finish it and
get the job done."
"Well, I fully support the medical clinic," said Deputy Mayor Doug
Freiburger. "It is a good doctor recruitment tool and there are still
many people without a doctor here and medical issues at the forefront in
the Province."
A vote on the recommendation to instruct G.M. Diemert Architects to
proceed with the tender documents was taken. Councillors Charbonneau
and Huber voted against the recommendation.
 
|