Work on the Guelph Police headquarters renovation and expansion project continues, having missed another anticipated completion date.
The project was initially expected to take about three years but is now nearing the six-year mark.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances including COVID-related supply chain and subcontractor concerns, the remaining schedule has slipped a small amount,” Ken VanderWal, the city’s manager of technical services, explained in an email, noting the project was most recently expected to be done by the end of 2021.
“I am happy to state (that) significant progress has been made and we are very near completion of the project with significant occupancies coming soon.
“There will still be activities related to warranties anticipated throughout 2022, however the project is progressing well to completion.”
An October project update report to city council noted completion was expected before the end of 2021, about 2.5 years after it was first slated to be done.
Those efforts, however, have continued past then and are now expected to take until the end of next month.
As outlined in a recent report to the Guelph Police Services Board, work still needs to be completed in the northwest and southwest additions to address previously identified deficiencies, as well as areas on the first and second levels of the building.
Among the outstanding tasks are completion of the fire alarm systems as well as painting, security caulking and camera installation for remaining cells.
The October update report states the project is running five per cent over the council-approved budget of $34.1 million, or about $1.7 million. That hasn't changed, said VanderWal.
When first approved, the project was expected to be done by spring of 2019. Construction efforts began in early 2016.
The project, which was already running a year behind schedule, was stalled for several months in 2020 after the city removed the project’s general manager and brought in a new one.
Included in the project are two new wings, including a four-storey structure intended for parking and future office space, as well as gutting and rebuilding the inside of the existing facility. The work includes enhanced security features, private interview rooms and a multi-function room for community use.
