County councillors began on May 27 what could become a series of long-running debates when they deferred a decision on an elevator for the Governor’s House.
The building is a heritage one, and sits on the grounds of the county “campus” in Guelph, and council heard a presentation from Paul Sapounzi, of Ventin Architects, for plans for an elevator inside it.
But when council began debating of an administration, finance, and personnel committee recommendation to have an elevator on the inside the building, several councillors wanted more information.
The work is forced by the provincial government, which demand all public buildings have handicapped access by 2025. That week marked the fifth anniversary of the legislation, and the government announced such access is merely first standard to be implemented under the act. By Jan. 1, 2012, Ontario businesses will also have to meet that standard.
The province is developing four more accessibility standards: for information and communications, employment, transportation, and built environment. The first three will be integrated into a single regulation, making them more flexible for businesses.
With a large number of buildings, the Governor’s House is just one of many county ones needing upgrades.
When council debated the motion, councillor Mike Broomhead said he did not hear a great deal of support for Sapounzi’s proposal. He asked that it be voted upon separately.
Chief Administrative Officer Scott Wilson said the consideration was to have the elevator inside or outside, and it had nothing to do with the other buildings on the property.
But Broomhead said Sapounzi, when asked, had considered only an elevator for the inside of the building.
Committee chairman Chris White said that was what the committee had decided. He admitted it would cost more to have the elevator inside, but because of heritage and esthetics and other issues, that is where the committee felt it should go.
Councillor Gord Tosh said building the elevator outside would not fit in with the other buildings. “Do we want to wreck the building outside with an elevator, or wreck it a little inside?” he asked.
Councillor Bob Wilson offered another perspective. “I’m not even sure we need the space.”
Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj said no decisions were made about the use of the building, but it must have handicapped access.
Councillor Jean Innes said the elevator could be placed outside the building and built to match buildings in that area. That would involved moving one picnic table and it would cost no parking spots.
Plus, “It would be cheaper” as well as having the benefit of doing “no damage to the building itself.”
White said the county could leave it vacant for now.
CAO Scott Wilson said that the human resources and the information technology departments each would like to use the building. But, as it is, “I can’t let staff go in.”
He noted there would be strong irony if the human resources department was there and interviewing to hire someone, and an applicant with a wheelchair would be unable to get into the building.
White said that the county would probable make a decision about which department uses it once an elevator is built.
Councillor Walter Trachsel said council should defer a decision and ask the CAO to determine exactly what is should be done with the building, and then council can decide if it agrees. “One more month isn’t going to make a difference,” he said.
Broomhead said he has no objections about accessibility, but he felt there are four options available, two of them being inside versus outside. He said he heard one cost factor in a closed session, and wanted to know more. Further, he said, he wanted to know how much space the county would lose if the elevator is built inside the building.
“This needs a whole lot of work on it,” he said.
CAO Wilson said the figure he had used was $300,000 and it was not meant to discuss the issue in a closed session.
Ross-Zuj defended Sapounzi, and said he gave council what the committee had asked him to present.
Innes said it would help knowing which department will use the building, and if space needs to be saved for that department.
Council then voted to defer the issue, but it was not unanimous. Councillors John Green, Lou Maieron, and Barb McKay were absent.
