Emergency repairs on Wellington Terrace boiler expected to cost around $155,000

Wellington County council agreed to waive its purchasing policy in order to begin emergency repairs on the boiler system at Wellington Terrace nursing home before winter arrives.

“The Terrace is heated by hot water boilers, the original boilers were installed in 2006 with the construction of the new building,” states a report to council from CAO Scott Wilson at the Oct. 30 meeting.

“There are four active boilers in total, two for domestic hot water supply and two provide heat to the building. The heat exchangers cracked on one heat supply boiler in 2008 and the other in 2009. At that time the repairs were completed under warranty. The warranties have now expired. The heat exchanger on one boiler has cracked once again leaving the building with only one boiler providing heat. Should it also fail the building will be without heat until the new heat exchanger can be ordered, delivered and installed.”

Wilson said that given the history of the existing model and the difficulty in securing replacement parts (delivered from the U.S.) staff recommended the replacement of two heating boilers with an upgraded model (from cast iron to titanium stainless steel), upgrades to the gas line to accommodate the new model, and replacing parts within the two domestic hot water boilers.

Repair and replacement costs are estimated to cost approximately $155,000.

Staff also recommended Conestogo Mechanical be contracted to complete the work, as they have been providing service and inspection on boiler units at the Terrace since the building opened.

Council passed a motion waiving the purchasing policy and authorizing the hiring of Conestogo Mechanical.

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