Image supplied.
After being sent back to further investigate the costs and other constraints surrounding developing the new fire hall on the township owned lands adjacent to the Municipal Offices, Greenview Environmental presented their results last week.
The ideal location facilitates the quick assembly of volunteer fire-fighters to minimize their response times; is close to a high proportion of properties it serves to minimize the impact on insurance rates; has direct access to good transportation routes; is immediately available to allow quick project implementation; and is cost-effective. The site also had to accommodate the requirements of the Peterborough County-City Paramedics who are partnering with the township in this project.
This site at the Municipal office was ranked second in the consultant’s original report, primarily because of the topography challenges this location presents which increases the construction costs. However, Council was unanimous in preferring this location and also wanted to ensure vehicles exiting the facility responding to calls did so directly onto County Rd. 10.
A meeting with County engineering staff resulted in approval for this access at this location as an exit only. Returning vehicles will enter the facility via a road within the Towerhill North subdivision which has yet to be built.
The consultant’s report included very rough cost ranges for the original site beside the Community Centre and the preferred alternative, indicating a projected 19% in additional expense for the selected site primarily due to excavation work. The estimates were based on Construction price indexes applied to the original cost projection of $4.9 million in the 2016 Fire Hall quote.
Staff and Council agreed that these estimates could like be pared back through collaboration with the developer of the Towerhill North project who may require fill which would be generated through excavation for the Fire hall construction. In the original subdivision project, excavation work for the subdivision and the construction of the Community Centre were coordinated in a way that was mutually beneficial. Staff will approach the developer to discuss the excavation, fill haulage and removal requirements and utilize our own materials and tendering process which should also reduce these costs.
Council approved the site, allowing the consultant to proceed with the detailed design and the development of more specific cost estimates to prepare for an examination of the financing options for both the Fire Hall and the Public Works projects. KG
