ELORA – Centre Wellington council has agreed to top up the budget for the Belwood Hall renovation to the tune of $980,000.
The previously approved budget was $890,600, bringing the new price tag to $1.87 million.
Manager of building and property Kasey Beirnes told council at its Oct. 27 meeting the township now has “Class B” costing, which is closer to the actual cost than previous estimates.
He said about $225,000 has been raised by donors and staff wants to establish a donor recognition program at the end of the project.
While the 2026 budget has not been approved in its entirety, approving this top-up will keep momentum going on the project.
An overall price tag of $1.85 million was announced in June, though at the time over half of the funding was not included in the budget.
“Pre-approval of the 2026 budget for this renovation project will allow staff to complete the construction and permit-ready documents and proceed with procurement activities, ensuring the project will be ready to begin construction in spring 2026,” Beirnes wrote in his Oct. 27 report.
The project will make the washrooms and entrance wheelchair accessible and update the kitchen/servery, hall, stage and septic system.
Staff has applied for two grants: an Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone Grant worth $60,000 and a $250,000 grant from the Rural Ontario Development Program.
But they haven’t yet heard if they were successful.
Councillor Barb Evoy asked if Belwood Hall is used as an emergency shelter like the Jefferson Elora Community Centre and the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
She was told emergency shelters need to have showers, which Belwood Hall will not have. But it could be used as a reception centre if it had a generator.
Evoy requested a generator be added to the project. Council decided to have staff report back on what it would cost for electrical modifications and the purchase of a generator.
Council also learned that the consumer price index, that impacts the operating budget, has risen from 1.6 per cent in June to 2.9 per cent in October.
Similarly the non-residential building price index, which impacts capital budgets, has risen from 3.3% in June to 3.7% in October.
These will likely impact the budget as well, council heard.
Council had given direction to staff in June to bring in a budget with a maximum 2.5% tax increase.
