CENTRE WELLINGTON – Township staff will be presenting a concept for a new $27 million operations centre to replace aging facilities.
A report going to an upcoming special meeting presents a recommended option to build a new operations centre in two phases at an undetermined location.
The report notes township operations staff use various facilities across Centre Wellington that are nearing the end of service life including: Fergus east works garage, Pilkington office and works garage, West Garafraxa works garage, Fergus waterworks, Elora works garage and parks barn, farmhouse and greenhouses.
The report states these facilities are at or above capacity, deteriorating and are too small to accommodate growth and expansion.
Eight options were evaluated but the highest scoring recommends in the first phase to build a full office area, one greenhouse and heated and unheated garage bays for the current needs of the public works and water operations.
The second phase would see another greenhouse, a salt storage facility and additions to the heated and unheated garage bays.
Phase one would be implemented over the next three years at an estimated cost of approximately $16.5 million and phase two over 10 to 20 years at $10.5 million.
The report stresses the cost of construction would not impact taxation or water/wastewater rates but instead funded mainly through development charges, growth-related debt and the sale of surplus lands and buildings.
Previous assumptions were made that the new centre can be built at the existing 600 Glengarry Cr. site but a space needs assessment indicates it does not meet the requirements of 20 acres for efficient operations.
None of the other existing works garage sites meet this requirement either.
No decisions will be made and the report will be presented at a April 28 special committee of the whole meeting.
