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Two buses out of service as council approves new sound, lighting for Collins Hall

Elliot Lake City Council discussed the purchase of new buses to replace those taken off the road this winter
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Two of three of the City of Elliot Lake Transit System buses had to be taken out of service this winter, but City Council members balked at ordering two new ones, deciding to refer the problem to the Public Services Committee, instead. The buses that failed were manufactured by Indiana-based Arboc Specialty Vehicles, a leader in low-floor buses and a main supplier to Ontario's Metrolinx system.

The two failed buses were taken out of service a few days ago due to frame deterioration problems. Elliot Lake's Public Works Director, Daryl Halloch, recommended that council purchase two new buses from Brantford-based school bus maker Girardin Blue Bird at an upset cost of $285,496.54 plus applicable taxes. The failed buses were purchased in 2015 and 2016. Their recommended replacements were touted by Mr. Halloch for their good safety record with easier service and better customer support from a Canadian supplier. Council decided to send the request back to committee at its meeting Monday night.

Council members were concerned about accessibility issues with the units from the Canadian school bus maker. Council Luc Cyr said, "I have problems with that. We are in a predicament as a retirement community." He added, "There are people with walkers who are unable to access our buses. The driver does not assist them."

Halloch told Council members that it's too late to stop delivery of a third Arboc bus, which was ordered last year and is set for delivery in Elliot Lake in a few weeks. That bus is now headed to St. George, Ont. to a company which does bus modifications and enhancements. Councillor Ed Pearce asked if the city could sell the bus to another community or organization after it arrives. Halloch said he would consider that. He said the Arboc buses failed due to road conditions and northern Ontario winter weather conditions.

The Public Works director said as the city wrestles with ways to find a solution, we have to rent buses to run the transit routes which he said is very expensive. Normally, two City of Elliot Lake transit buses are in service at the same time and the third is used as a backup.

If you've had trouble hearing people speak on the PA system in Collins Hall over the years, help is on the way. Unlike the thorny public transit situation, Elliott Lake Council put to rest another problem by deciding to spend up to $42,000 this year to upgrade the sound and lighting system, and acoustics in Collins Hall. That's where city-sponsored entertainment events are being held now following the collapse of the roof on their former theatre-auditorium home in the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre. That happened Feb. 21 due to the snow and ice weight load on the building's north roof.

Elliot Lake CAO Daniel Gagnon recommended the city buy a used sound system to upgrade the one in Collins Hall, which is inadequate for performances. Councillor Chris Patrie said he wouldn't support buying used sound equipment with no warranty.

Councillor Ed Pearce said, "I'm not against this, but let's have a look at Elliot Lake Secondary School, the French school or the French church."  He was told there are accessibility issues with the church. Councillor Sandy Finamore said she attended a play last Friday at Elliot Lake Secondary School auditorium and the sound system there "is really bad."

Councillor Norman Mann said, "Let's provide some help for the arts community tonight. It's good that we have Collins Hall for these purposes." Council was told the sound system could be moved to a permanent location once the future of these buildings is sorted out.

For the month of April, the city has rented sound equipment for Collins Hall pending a more permanent solution. Along with the sound and lighting systems, other improvements for Collins Hall set for inclusion in the 2019 budget are stage curtains ($22,000) and acoustic wall curtains ($60,000). They are flame retardant and needed to reduce echo to improve sound quality. Also to be added at Collins Hall is a portable tech booth for $1,500.



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About the Author: Brent Sleightholm

As a reporter, Brent has covered everything from amateur and professional sports, to politics, entertainment, police and courts, to human interest stories and government issues
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