Ontario Construction News staff writer
After cancelling a construction tender due to high costs, the City of Pickering was awarded $17 million in federal funding for two green community infrastructure projects.
“Pickering is home to many significant heritage-based communities, facilities, and programs. This funding will help support exciting and meaningful projects, that will bring our community together, while showcasing Pickering’s historic roots in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.
Funding is earmarked for construction of a new 44,000 sq. ft., net zero-ready Pickering Heritage and Community Centre that will include a community theatre and a museum that will house community exhibits.
However, from June 9 to July 27, the city invited interested pre-qualified bidders to bid on the construction of the Pickering Heritage and Community Centre (PHCC). While the total available budget for the project is $38.6 million, the lowest compliant bid submitted was in the amount of $57.3 million, resulting in a total net project cost of approximately $64.6 million.
At the Sept. 5 meeting, council directed staff to:
- cancel Tender No. T2023-6 for Construction of PHCC without award due to all bids exceeding approved budget.
- explore options to reduce overall project costs for PHCC by working with the project consultants, Hariri Pontarini Architects, to reduce the project scope and related costs, then re-tender the project in time to secure new pricing prior to the approval of the 2024 Capital Budget
- continue with archeology on the site so the project can proceed in early 2024, if approved by council.
The new schedule means construction, on the revised project, will start in Spring 2024 (pending council approvals) and meet grant deadlines to complete all work by Spring 2026.
Federal funding was also awarded for retrofits to the Redman House Program Centre. The work will include energy efficiency upgrades to both mechanical and electrical components of the existing facility, as well as accessibility improvements that include the replacement of the ramp and renovations to the washrooms. This project will allow the centre to continue to provide important visitor and volunteer services at the Pickering Museum Village.