Terrace roof repairs could hit $2.5 million

by Kris Svela

GUELPH

The roof on the Wellington Terrace long-term care facility in Aboyne needs immediate work to stop potential internal damage caused by leaking that has been ongoing since the structure was built in 2005.

Wellington County council, at its Sept. 27 meeting, approved a recommendation from Mark Bolzon, manager of purchasing and risk management services, to have an architectural firm look into a solution.

“Since the building construction was completed there have been continuous issues with the roof,” Bolzon said in his report. “These issues include ongoing leaks occurring throughout the building, causing extensive damage to the interior of the building including tenant property (Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health).”

“The resolution to the cause of the roof  problems and the responsibility to correct them remain outstanding to date,” Bolzon added. “As a result the County of Wellington is taking the initiative to get remedial work completed immediately which will require the services of an architect and their sub-contractors.”

Bolzon suggested using The Ventin Group (VG) Architects.

“Staff are recommending that in order to have these works completed expediently to prevent further damage to the Terrace facility, the county’s purchasing policy be waived, and that VG be contracted to design the specifications and provide the necessary project management services for the replacement and repairs to the roof and roofing structure,” Bolzon wrote. “VG Architects has been and continues to be the architectural firm used for design works for Wellington Terrace. They have also provided a preliminary review for this project to the information, heritage and seniors committee.”

Repair and replacement costs are estimated at between $2 million and $2.5 million with architect fees set at approximately $200,000.

Warden Chris White said work has to be done as soon as possible to protect the $25 million “county asset.”

“We need to replace the roof,” he said following the council meeting. “The roofer has been repairing it at their cost.”

White said once the work is done, the county will look at how the costs will be recovered.

“We’re going to pursue whatever avenue to recover costs,” he said.

October 5, 2012