New Lowell fire hall proposal rejected

A proposal for construction of a new fire hall and Public Works building in New Lowell has been rejected, after the lone bid came in well over budget.

Clearview Township had allocated $3,560,000 for the project, to be jointly funded from Fire Department and Public Works budgets. However, the only proposal received was for $5,358,900. Township staff has been instructed to review the parameters of the project and current market conditions and possibly scale down the size of the building slightly. A new call for proposals will be issued, probably by May.

Councillor Thom Paterson asked whether this is a likely indicator that bids for planned renovations at township halls will also come in significantly over budget.

Deputy Public Works Director, Dan Perrault reassured council that the bid for the New Lowell Fire Hall is a bit of an anomaly. Bids for a new building in Stayner have come in much closer to budget.

Council recently decided to proceed to call for tenders for renovations to the first two of six community halls to comply with Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements. Once those bids are received, council will have a clearer picture of the total cost of the improvements.