Perth Road Firehall to go to Tender

Craig Bakay | Mar 08, 2017

South Frontenac Council gave the approval to have drawings made up and call for tenders on the new Perth Road Firehall at its regular meeting Tuesday night in Sydenham.

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth told Council that the architect’s estimate to build the structure was $1.4 million but added: “I’ve talked to a couple of local contractors who say they can do it for less.

“My own feeling is that when it goes out to tender, it won’t be that much.”

As the design now sits, it includes three in-and-out bays, and a meeting room for 30 people. Segsworth said he’d like to see an accessible washroom added to the design because firehalls tend to get used for public meetings and gatherings.

There were those on Council, like Coun. Alan Revill, who advocated for sending the design back to committee to see what could be cut out.

“It’s far more cost-effective to look at cost cutting measures at this stage rather than after it goes to tender,” he said.

Coun. John McDougall also preferred taking another look.

“I think it’s unlikely local contractors would come in $.4 million less,” he said.

Some, like Coun. Ron Sleeth just wanted to get the price down.

“Are we setting a precedent here spending so much on a hall that doesn’t get as many calls as busier ones like Sydenham?” Sleeth said.

But much of Council was ready to put it out to tender and see what happens.

Mayor Ron Vandewal reminded Council that they had gone to look at firehalls that came in under $1 million.

“I’m not comfortable with anything over $1 million,” Vandewal said. “And I don’t think it will go over that.”

“There’s not a lot out there right now for local contractors to bid on,” said Dep. Mayor Norm Roberts. “And I don’t want to go over $1 million either.”

Flags ordered
After much debate, and the revelation that the Mayor isn’t crazy about the colour blue, Council opted to order 10 flags with the South Frontenac logo on a field of white.

The proposed alternative was the blue bars and cattails on a field of blue that was specifically assigned to the Township by Canada’s official herald.

Cost of the 10 flags is $893.93. They will be displayed at various open houses, luncheons, parades, festivals, fire halls and garages.

Road sealing - in house?
During the process of getting $70,000 approved for road sealing, the inevitable question of “why can’t we do this in-house?” came up.

Based on a price increase, Coun. Ross Sutherland said “words like collusion and gouging come to mind.

“I’m not saying that’s what’s happening but we can’t continue with these price increases and maintain our budget.”

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth said “it’s largely a matter of expertise and capacity.

“The contractors that do this work have the expensive equipment it takes and can order hotpatch in volumes we can’t.”

Segsworth said if the Township could order on the scale that “some of our upper tier neighbours do” then they could probably see better prices as well.