The replacing of Station 1 Fire Hall in Strathroy proper will finally move forward. Replacing of the facility was first recommended in 1991, and really took steam in 2019 with the creation and approval of the Fire Master Plan.
This week council approved the tender to Tradition Construction Inc. for just over $7.2 million plus HST ($7,428,200 plus HST), and they also approved a 10% contingency fund to address unforeseen circumstances that may arise for a value of $742,820. Council was definitely split on the decision mainly for how the project would be financed.
A recorded vote saw Mayor Colin Grantham forced to break a 4-4 council tie with a vote to approve the tender and says his mind was made up.
During a meeting in June, Council approved by a narrow 5-3 vote with Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire noting a conflict, and not voting, that the location of 220 East Centre Street would be the spot for the new station 1, and allocating $10,000,000 to the 2024 Capital Budget. Mayor Grantham says financially, this was the time.
As mentioned the council vote was just 5-4 and Mayor Grantham says that doesn’t mean the 4 votes against the tender were not for solid reasons.
Regarding financing, the project’s total cost stands slightly above $9.1 million ($9,136,686), falling below the $10,000,000 earmarked in the 2024 Capital Budget. This will be covered through a loan encompassing the entire project cost, including HST and contingency. Additionally, Development Charges, amounting to just over $3.41 million ($3,416,972), will make up 46% of the overall construction expenses.
filestream.ashx (escribemeetings.com)
Written by: C. Soares
