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Plan to address Blind River's aging infrastructure moves ahead

Council voted unanimously in favour of hiring Tulloch Engineering to undertake an infrastructure assessment
EconomicLeadership
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A report presented by Blind River CAO/clerk Kathryn Scott to council Monday evening is calling for a master plan on the status of municipally owned and operated buildings.

The status of the buildings with the closure of several buildings over the winter due to heavy roof ice and snow loads has been taking a front burner with town staff and council. It comes on the heals of an Asset Management Plan (AMP) being developed by the town that includes a wide range of factors, including the status of streets and underground services, buildings, municipal equipment, sewer and water.

The AMP, mandated by the province, will provide costs associated with repairing and maintaining the various facilities, their lifespan, how much money council would have to set aside each year for operation and eventual replacement, what costs would be associated and how money for various projects would be raised. The master plan would become part of the AMP.

“Administration has been dealing, almost daily, with new problems arising from the aging infrastructure and addressing these items on an as needed basis,” Scott told council in her report.

“Based on all of the needs that have been identified by municipal staff, council needs to have a clear understanding of what each of these facilities cost per year and what the projected cost of upkeep will be with failing infrastructure,” she explained. “As well, council will need to prioritize the facilities as there are too many issues with each building to address all in one budget term, as well as keep up with ongoing maintenance at each facility.”

A review of several of the buildings during the winter found the town’s tourist information centre was inadequate for regular use, and forced the temporary closure of the library and the hospital due to heavy snow loads.

Scott recommended council hire Tulloch Engineering to undertake the assessment with a tender of $115,480. The money will come out of a $630,600 modernization grant from the province.

“I think it’s a good time, based on our Asset Management Plan, to establish that base line and take a look at what our facilities actually require,” Scott added.

“When I was first going through this report I was a little apprehensive,” Coun. Jim Dunbar said referring to the recommendation for a master plan and building condition assessment.

The councillor said previous studies on some of the town’s buildings have been done with costs associated with them and some duplication of findings could come up in a new master plan. He urged council to be “fiscally responsible” in any potential duplications of findings.

However, Coun. Dunbar said he would support putting together a master plan that could be used in lobbying efforts at the provincial level for possible funding of facility projects council deems are needed.

Coun. Steven Wells said the study should allow council to set priorities for facility projects in Blind River. The study is expected to be completed by April next year. Wells said he would like to see a “brief” of information to take to major municipal conferences next year where ministers and ministry officials are often available to speak with municipal politicians.

The councillor also urged that residents be made aware of the plans and costs associated with the master plan and information contained in AMP.

Scott said administration and Tulloch representatives have already discussed hosting a public meeting on the master plan.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.

Councillor HP Roy was absent from Monday evening’s meeting.



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About the Author: Kris Svela

Kris Svela has worked in community newspapers for the past 36 years covering politics, human interest, courts, municipal councils, and the wide range of other topics of community interest
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