Council hears updated price is three times higher than originally anticipated
A nearly $900,000 project to install an elevator at the Tantramar Veterans’ Memorial Civic Centre is one step closer to final approval after municipal staff presented the results of a public tender during last Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.
The lowest proposal, submitted by Maximum Construction, came in at $894,995 before HST, nearly three times the roughly $300,000 estimate council had previously discussed when it first began exploring the project.
The municipality commissioned an accessibility audit of the civic centre in 2023. CHMA previously reported that the audit identified several accessibility barriers throughout the building and noted the absence of an elevator. Council later directed staff to pursue an elevator as its preferred long-term accessibility improvement.
Councillor Alyssa Greene voiced her support for moving the project forward.
Hear the story below:
“I do want to start with the preface that I obviously support the elevator and it’s going to be an obligation that we have that’s been legislated by the Accessibility Act.”
Audit prompted project, but not a ‘legal requirement’
However, the New Brunswick Accessibility Act does not specifically require existing public buildings to install elevators. Instead, it establishes a framework for future accessibility standards while aiming to make the province barrier-free by 2040.
The municipality’s 2023 accessibility audit also did not recommend installing an elevator, although it clearly identified accessibility barriers throughout the building increased by the absense of an elevator.
Matt Pryde is Tantramar’s director of active living and culture. According to Pryde, accessibility has remained a priority since the audit was completed and that several improvements have already been made.
“Back in 2023 an accessibility audit as you all know was completed on the building . . . and since that time it’s become a key focus,” he said, “We have completed several upgrades to improve the accessibility in the building already.”
Why the project costs nearly three times more than expected
Pryde said the elevator itself represents only a small portion of the overall project cost.
“The structure itself for the elevator I think was around $130,000 but it’s these other pieces that add to the cost . . . the pricing is a lot more than that $300,000 because of the upgrades that need to be done to the infrastructure, the electrical upgrades, site preparation, applying for the permit and the design. All those things cost money.”
Greene said she does not believe the municipality should postpone the project.
“I am not in favor of delaying this because delaying the opportunity further when we 23 years ago this building was built without an elevator and delaying further so that people cannot access the recreational opportunities or just the interaction socially with our community at the civic centre is just not an acceptable option.”
Project would rely on taxpayer dollar reserve
Michael Beal, Tantramar’s director of financial services, told council the project was originally discussed as a $300,000 proposal that would be partially funded through grants. With the lowest bid now approaching $900,000, he said the municipality would instead need to rely on its capital reserve fund.
“It would be the only place the funds could come from would be the general capital reserve. It would take a significant portion of our capital reserve funds that have been built over the last number of years.”
The capital reserve is made up of taxpayer dollars the municipality has set aside for future infrastructure and capital projects.
Council voted to send the tender award to the consent agenda for its July 14 regular meeting, where councillors are expected to decide whether to award the contract.
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
