After an inspection revealed subpar ventilation and safety systems, Canmore will spend an additional $290,000 on renovations to its public works building.
Originally slated for $275,000, the budget for renovations is now $565,000 after Canmore council OK’d a funding increase, May 23.
According to Michael Fark, manager of municipal infrastructure, a year and a half ago, Town buildings were assessed for priority items as part of a building condition assessment by contractor Marshall Tittemore Architects, “but they found the original scope was not sufficient to address deficiencies. The office ventilation system needs to be replaced and that was not anticipated.”
An assessment triggered other code requirements, said Fark, including to the maintenance shop ventilation system and vehicle tailpipe exhaust system in the maintenance bay.
The boost in renovation dollars, said Fark, “does align with council’s policy on asset management.”
Councillor Ed Russell wondered how the renovation budget nearly doubled, and Fark replied it was due to the ventilation system. Fark added the original building assessment was not intended to provide in-depth analysis, but rather to highlight areas of concern, rather than engineering problems.
“I get we need air quality,” said Russell, “but double the budget? It seems a colossal expense.”
In looking at spending an additional $290,000, Coun. Esme Comfort questioned the future lifespan of the works building, with Fark suggesting a 25-lifecycle would be seen, being that the building is quite sound.
“It’s unfortunate this was not reported in the first analysis,” said Mayor John Borrowman. “This is not that unusual and it be behooves us to keep it in good repair for several decades to come.”
Russell voted to spend the extra funds, but said, “it makes me queasy. I’d hate to see this in future.”
