The chapel at Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery, built in 1935, has not been used for its original purpose for many years.
So when a decision was made at the May 2016 General Committee meeting not to proceed with an RFP for construction of a new operations building at the cemetery, the chapel became one of the logical options as a location for a new staff operational office, staff washroom and dual-purpose storage facility. The basement of the building is currently used for winter interment storage.
A working group – consisting of Councillor Jason Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Community Services Kari Lambe, Director of Protective Services Stephen Hernen, and Manager of Parks and Cemeteries Colleen MacDonald – was formed to examine options.
MacDonald returned to General Committee on September 28 with the group’s favoured recommendation: to renovate the existing chapel at an estimated cost of $199,210 plus HST, funded from the Cemetery Reserve. At the meeting, Councillor Fitzgerald noted the working group’s desire to take the historical significance of the building into consideration.
Responses to the initial RFP for new construction had been collected in 2014; the remaining two bidders from that process were contacted to submit new bids for the chapel renovations. The cost breakdown is: $145,450 for the renovations, $25,000 for a new racking system with hydraulic lift, $10,650 for siding and a new door system for the cemetery’s garage and a 10 per cent contingency.
As of June 2016, the Cemetery Reserve balance is $268,690. Between $7,500 and $18,930 has been earmarked for fees for archaeological services for the Newholm Cemetery. After both projects have been completed, the reserve fund will be left with approximately $50,000 to $60,000; MacDonald noted that the department will continue to pay into the fund for future needs.
Future utility costs – estimated at $200-300 per month – will be included in the 2017 budget funded from property taxation.
The staff office would be for operational use only – public purchase of plots will remain with customer service at the Canada Summit Centre.
The motion was passed by General Committee, to be ratified by Council at its next meeting.
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While I agree that it is an ideal use for a beautiful building, you may not have allowed for all renovation costs. As of January 1, 2017, you will be required to advertise any job postings as available for persons with disabilities.
If a wheelchair- or scooter-user was a successful applicant, you would require, at minimum, a ramp and an accessible washroom. A portion of any reception counter would have to be lowered as well as sufficient space to manoeuvre behind the counter. All doors, exterior and interior, must be widened and the exterior door must be power-assisted. It is to be hoped that there is a rear egress for emergency use, as that is a further requirement. Dependent on the position to be filled and the disability, several further issues will come into play.
I feel that your $50,000 to $60,000 reserve fund is somewhat in jeopardy if these conditions have not been considered. You may also require the expertise of a specialist in accessibility as an on-site Project Manager; although I believe that this is cost-threshold dependent.