Quesnel council approved spending up to $2 million dollars from the city’s reserves to complete the renovations at Quesnel’s downtown fire hall during the first city council meeting of 2022.
The city secured a $2.5 million grant from the provincial and federal government to retrofit the hall. After receiving the detailed cost estimates, the project looks to cost just over $4 million.
“Some costs were not considered and included and some expenses were underestimated and have been adjusted to reflect actual anticipated costs with no change in scope,” a report from the city’s director of community services, Jeff Norburn reads.
The now-higher estimates break down to $600,000 for soft costs and general construction overhead, $400,000 for exterior upgrades to the buildings, $200,000 for accessibility upgrades and $300,000 for additional upgrades, including better amenities for female firefighters.
READ MORE: Quesnel Fire Hall #1 receives $2.5 million in grant funding for upgrades
Not included in the cost breakdown is a new sprinkler system. While any destroyed equipment by a fire would be covered by insurance, the report notes it could take over a year to secure a proper replacement.
Norburn called the $250,000 estimated for a new sprinkler system a “very rough number.” The additional funding from the city will also have a contingency allowance, and the project will be fully bonded.
The city’s new Public Works building was not bonded, leaving some contractors without payment after the primary construction company did not pay them.
The money the city will contribute to the project will come from their capital reinvestment reserve.
“(The project) is a great deal for local ratepayers on a number of fronts,” mayor Bob Simpson said, noting the project would not be going to referendum for a full replacement and have over half the cost covered by a grant with the rest covered by city reserves.
“There’s no taxpayer implications for us to actually get this project completed. It’s a good news story all around.”
Council approved the upgrades in cost for the fully bonded fire hall project as part of their five-year capital plan. The report notes there is enough in the reserve to not negatively impact the five-year capital plan.
No funds from the city’s operating budget will be used in the capital plan.
Council is funding nearly $21 million in capital projects. The most expensive project in the 2022 capital budget is $8.8 million in grant funding to re-surface the airport runway. Projects as small as $10,000 for heat pumps at city hall are included in the capital budget, which is available on the city’s website.
The Johnston Bridge upgrade, a new water treatment facility and footbridge lighting are not included in the five-year capital plan. The report notes the Johnston Bridge will need to go to referendum to be approved, the water treatment facility will require significant grant money, and further investigation is needed for footbridge lighting.
READ MORE: Fraser River Footbridge to be bathed in blue
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