It looks like the Victoria Park Seniors Centre expansion will go ahead without the joint involvement of the Fergus Temple Corporation (Mercer and Irvine Masonic Lodges).
In December, council heard a report proposing a joint venture with the Fergus Temple which would have increased the proposed expansion of the centre by an additional 1,200 square feet.
However, things have changed, and without the Fergus Temple Corporation, the footprint of the expansion reverts to the originally-proposed plan.
A recent report from managing director of community services Brian Detzler recommended council approve a revised capital budget for the project that does not include a joint venture with the Fergus Temple.
A further report from managing director of corporate services Wes Snarr asked council to authorize the tender committee to approve the recommendation of the selection committee to offer the work for tender to the general contractors that made a pre-qualifying submissions.
Snarr’s report noted the renovation and expansion of the Victoria Park Seniors Centre has been identified as a priority in 2014 based upon present needs and future growth.
The amount of capital funding required for the expansion is predicated upon funding from the township’s capital budget and funding raised by the centre’s membership.
In December, staff presented a report indicating a joint venture to expand the seniors centre was a possibility, based upon interest received from the Fergus Temple.
At that time staff received approval from council to proceed with the establishment of a legal agreement with the Fergus Temple based upon principles in the December 2013 report.
However, in late January, staff was informed verbally that the Fergus Temple no longer was in a position to pursue an agreement with the township, as it was not able to meet the terms specified in the report approved by council.
Subsequent written correspondence from the temple confirmed its decision to withdraw from the pursuit of a joint venture agreement.
As a result, staff examined the funding model for the expansion of the seniors centre. The estimated budget for the expansion is approximately $860,000.
In re-working the funding sources for the project, staff provided the option of using an additional $90,000 from the township’s development charges fund. In addition, the senior advisory board has committed to an additional $10,000 on top of the $150,000 they have already raised for the project.
In the meantime the design for the seniors centre has continued under the lead of the hired architect for the project and the senior advisory committee has endorsed the design.
The architect is preparing elevation and site plans for a public open house in late March to show the plans to the community.
Tenders are anticipated to be completed and awarded by the end of May.
Work at the Victoria Park Seniors Centre includes a 3,000-square-foot expansion ($670,000) and renovations to the remaining 6,300 square feet of the building ($190,000).
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said the seniors group remains very excited about the project.
Councillor Kelly Linton said that when the proposed financing scenario changed, the seniors committee quickly put forward its recommendation to raise an extra $10,000 to help cover the shortfall.
“That really shows their dedication and enthusiasm to move forward on this project,” said Linton.
He added the group has worked with the architect to ensure the building will meet the needs of the programs offered there.
Snarr said 90 per cent of the cost will be paid through development charges, with the remainder through fundraising by the seniors group.
