It could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to determine how water is seeping into the basement – and how to fix the problem – at Fergusson Place, the 55-unit affordable housing apartment operated in Fergus by Wellington County at the corner of Highway 6 and Gordon Street.
At its Nov. 21 meeting council approved a recommendation from the social services committee to award the tender for the work to TRP Construction of Burlington for $258,000.
Councillor Gord Tosh, chairman of the social services committee, said he hopes the final bill will come in lower than the estimated cost.
A consultant’s report has already outlined leakage, but has yet to determine the source of the water.
“As they explained, the problem is the tiles and drains underneath the floor are not carrying the water to the sump pump,” Tosh told council.
He said the county was aware the building, constructed about six years ago, was close to an existing swamp.
“We knew it was close to the water table,” Tosh said.
In March residents were made aware of the problem and the county removed all belongings stored in the basement to outside containers.
Social services administrator Eddie Alton said the belongings will remain in the containers while work continues. County officials were expected to meet with residents on Nov. 25 to discuss the problem.
The committee report indicated tile drains may have been damaged when heavy machinery was used during construction of the building.
The project, which will involve removing the existing concrete floor, should determine the extent of damage and the work needed to repair it.
Tosh said tenants may receive a rebate on rent when it is determined how extensive the work will be and how it will impact residents.
In an email to the Advertiser, Alton said the county is concentrating “on the work to be completed and the projected start and finishing dates of the project as well as explain that we are hoping to reduce the disruption to the tenants due to the work, as the contractors will not be using only jackhammers to break up the floor, but are going to saw-cut most of the concrete to reduce noise and vibration whenever possible.
“In addition, once the project gets started, we will have a better idea of the extent of the work required to address the issue.”
The remedial work at the building is expected to start in December.
