ARTHUR – Costly renovations will go ahead at the Arthur and Area Community Centre despite councillors experiencing "sticker shock" at the project's newest price tag.
Approved at a Wellington North council meeting Monday evening, an additional $332,000 has been allocated in the township's 2025 capital budget to fund the gap between the approved budget and the tender cost for upper hall renovations in the Arthur and Area Community Centre.
Originally allocating $389,000 for the project, a new report recommends the project tender be given to Mega Group Construction for $609,000.
"I think it's much needed and probably could've been done a little while ago...we can't wait for another note from province or federal funding so I'm glad we're going ahead," said Coun. Steve McCabe.
Questing whether there are additional cost savings staff hadn't considered during the meeting, Coun. Sherry Burke asked how the township can improve setting budgets for projects that are "more reflective" of the tenders the township receives.
Coun. Penny Renken also suggested frequent community centre users fundraise to help with some of the renovation costs.
"I have to say there's a bit of sticker shock for the renovation... I mean we've just about doubled what we authorized in the budget," said Burke.
Staff said they have made changes like removing the proposed larger windows in the archives room to scale back the project after an earlier construction estimate identified a "potential budget overrun."
Lennox said it's a "challenging environment" for projects right now and the township has been "very fortunate" that many of their projects have come under the budgeted amounts in the past.
"Unfortunately this one is not one of them," said Lennox.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
