Huntsville council got some bad news at its September 26 meeting.
The engineering firm hired to conduct a building condition assessment of the Huntsville public works operations centre at 169 Madill Church Road, also known as the Madill Yard, is recommending that the building be replaced, citing the age of the building and poor construction.
Tarmo Uukkivi, director of operations and protective services for the Town, told council that two engineers with Tulloch Engineering were on site in March.
“Bottom line for this is that they didn’t recommend doing any upgrades or repairs to the building other than those that are required to maintain the health and safety of staff that are working there. Beyond that, their recommendation was for replacement of the building. So looking at options for replacement, that’s going to become the new work here, and will be discussed—I think there’s an option being discussed in closed session tonight related to that,” he told council.
In his report, Uukkivi noted that Tulloch also indicated that, at minimum, the service garages need to be replaced which would also mean a full replacement of the roof. “Given the extent of the work required, Tulloch recommended against the repairs identified and recommended replacement at an estimated cost of $8,340,000. This cost estimate does not take into consideration current market prices for design, contractors, and materials. This estimate includes only a replacement of the
existing footprint with no consideration given to expanded or future service delivery. The replacement also does not consider the addition of other services or departments or additional meeting space for the Town,” stated Uukkivi.
The site serves as an operations centre for roads, parks, and fleet maintenance. it also provides storage for the Town’s heavy equipment, operations vehicles, parks equipment, parks vehicles, salt, sand, and materials. It’s the site where Uukkivi works from as well as the managers of operations, parks and cemeteries, engineering and fleet co-ordinator, roads foreman and lead hands as well as operations administrative staff.
Mechanical support is also provided from the facility by two mechanics with a multi-bay garage, noted Uukkivi.
“It is important to note that Tulloch commented that the repair and deficiencies work would only delay the inevitable need for replacement that would be required in the next 10-15 years after the repair work,” he added.
You can find his full report, here.
Discussion continued in closed session.
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Please tell me the Town was not blindsided by this – that would be a surprising level of incompetence/neglect of duty