Stayner library construction tender approved at $3.8M
Clearview council has approved a tender for the construction of the new Stayner branch of the library, at a cost of $3,807,892.
The contract was awarded to Bondfield Construction.
In total, 11 bids were received ranging from $3.79 million to $4 million. Architect Luc Bouliane of Lebel and Bouliane explained Monday he recommended the construction company, which came in with the second lowest bid, based on good references and experience with library builds.
The 7,000 square foot library will be built as an addition to the arena, with a shared entranceway.
Council originally earmarked $3.2 million for the project.
“As part of the process to determine the cost for the new Stayner Library a cost consultant was hired at the very beginning. Over many months the consultant provided the library building committee with an update on the estimated costs for the project. The degree of scrutiny that the cost consultant put on the project was beyond anything that Clearview has used in the past. However, the public bidding process is never guaranteed. And generally, it can be suggested that the tender prices came in about 13 per cent above the cost consultant’s estimation for the Clearview Library Stayner Branch,” reported Clearview Public Library CEO Jennifer La Chapelle. “It is the author’s recommendation that council approve the project with the anticipation of the sale of the existing facility will offset the shortfall in the budget.”
Deputy mayor Barry Burton wanted to take the sale of the old library off the table, saying it is located within the downtown revitalization project area.
“We should not get rid of any land at this time,” said Burton.
Most of the other council members were in favour of proceeding with an appraisal so they are aware of the property’s value.
Council also directed staff to investigate recouping development charges used as payment towards the Gideon Street property across from the Clearview Administration Centre, which will not be used as a library building site.
