Municipal offices in Chatham will be getting some upgrades over the next year.
Earlier this week, Chatham-Kent Council approved giving a $6.5 million construction contract to Oscar Construction Company Limited to renovate the Park Avenue Business Centre in Chatham.
The company is now tasked with bringing the aging Creek Road facility up to current standards.
A report to council says with the exception of a roof replacement completed in 2014, and some minor updates to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, the majority of the building’s infrastructure including core electrical and mechanical systems date back to the 1950s.
The project is tied to the Municipality’s broader Community Hub initiative, which will see some municipal staff relocated to the PABC once renovations are complete.
During construction, staff currently working at the PABC will be temporarily relocated to the Civic Centre, the former John N. Given School, and the adjacent Fleet building.
Councillor Rhonda Jubenville raised concerns about maintaining aging municipal buildings and managing long-term costs.
“You may recall that council recently approved the asset management plan,” Edward Soldo, General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services responded.
“We now have a dedicated facilities asset management plan and have completed building condition assessments for the vast majority of municipal buildings. Through that process, we’re prioritizing where investments are most needed.”
Council approved the contract 16 to 1, with Councillor Alysson Storey being the lone vote against.
Construction is expected to begin by June and take approximately 12 months to complete.