Douro-Dummer Council at the regular council meeting of September 8 regarding the joint Public Works - Fire Hall building.
The purpose for the report was to give council an update on the project as well as request that Council approve the proposed change order to include in-floor heating in the Public Works portion of the new joint facility at a cost of $184,000 plus HST.
The update of the project is as follows:The procurement process for the joint building was initiated on February 23, 2026. The original deadline for questions was March 20, however many interested bidders asked for an extension which was granted until April 17.
Over 66 registered businesses showed interest in the project. At the end of the process the municipality received ten bids ranging from $130,000 to $39 million.
The Township held a special council meeting on June 11 seeking approval for the construction of the joint Public Works - Fire Hall.
At this meeting the Request for Tender (RFT) was awarded to Taskforce Engineering after being reviewed by township management and the township’s project manager, Cambian Engineering. Following the approval of the RFT Cambium Engineering prepared the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) contract for the design and construction of the new facility.
On July 22 of this year council passed the bylaw to execute the agreement while at the same time instituting the borrowing bylaw required by Infrastructure Ontario to cover the loan required to start construction of the facility as well as the longer-term debenture necessary to fund the joint building.
Davis told council that there have been ongoing bi-weekly meetings involving township departments including finance, fire, public works and building along with the project manager and the design build contractor and progress is being made in the following areas:
• Site works have already commenced clearing the property
• An appropriate ground breaking ceremony is planned for late October
• Under ground works for storm water management and building footings are scheduled
• An expected project completion date has been established of November 30, 2027
• Engage Engineering is working with the neighbours, Cambium, Taskforce, Peterborough County and the Township to update the site plan so that it is finalized once the building drawings are complete.
• Final draft drawings have been completed and reviewed by the Township as committed to by Staff at the June 11th meeting.
Davis told council that they are nearing the end of the site plan and site work has commenced as of August 30. Drain Brothers have started to clear the property in preparation for the development.
Davis presented some artist conception drawings of the building. The drawings are outdoor renderings which illustrate both the fire side as well as public works.
Taskforce has started to work on a detailed design drawing which are required for final approval and permitting. Once complete they will be presented to council.
The project was originally pegged with a $12 million price tag, but savings were discovered and the new estimate is $11.3 million.
The report stated that during the initial meetings between the parties a number of cost saving measures were found.
The Township signed its first change order which in this case reduced the costs of the project.
One point of savings is the elimination of metal wall panels in service of a secondary solution that achieves the same requirements, but at a lesser price.
Other changes include the elimination of a masonry veneer, elimination of epoxy coating on the second floor and converting the HVAC system from a costly roof top system to air handling units in the staff area.
These changes result in projected savings of $225,350.
Davis told council that one thing that is holding up the detailed design drawings is the contemplation of a large ticket item related to heating.
Davis said there is the opportunity to install in-floor radiant heating. After discussions with the construction team and staff it was decided that the radiant heating should be installed on the Public Works portion only.
This would increase the cost of the project by $184,000 which means some of the savings realized by the change order would have to be reinvested in the project.
Davis listed some of the advantages of making the investment which are as follows:
• Floor drying and snow melt
• Improves energy efficiency
• Potential for reduced heat loss
• Improves indoor air quality
• Leaves an unobstructed work space
Davis went on to list some core operational advantages which are as follows:
• Rapid recovery time
• Helps with corrosion prevention
• Low maintenance
• Zone control
Davis said that the project would still come out $39,350 below budget.
Councillor Tom Watt asked on behalf of council and the public when they might see the next set of drawings hopefully including a look at the interior.
Davis replied that once a decision is made on the radiant in-floor heating they should proceed quite rapidly and hopefully be able to present the next set of drawings by late Fall.
Councillor Ray Johnston echoed Watt’s concerns and stated that he doesn’t want to see things at the very end so they can’t change anything because it is already done. Johnston went on to say he is all for the in-floor heat, but was taken aback by the price tag.
Mayor Heather Watson asked Davis what the heating source would be in the bay area if they choose not to go with the in-floor radiant.
Davis said on the fire side they are not contemplating the radiant, but rather hanging tube heaters. This area gets less use and is easier to manage. In the staff area used for training, the kitchen, bathrooms etc they have suggested mini split units (air exchange units).
On the public works side they are asking council to consider the radiant in-floor heat which would reduce some reliance on hanging heaters. If they choose not to use the in-floor it will mean more hanging heaters.
Councilor Watt asked fire chief Pederson what they would do to alleviate the snow etc on their side of the building without the in-floor heating.
Pederson said they aren’t adverse to the in-floor heating, but were looking at ways to save money. Pederson said public works have different challenges.
Watt also asked Davis if they had considered solar panels for the new build which was a question brought up during the comment period earlier in the meeting by Marlyn Turton.
Davis replied there was an opportunity in 2016 to be on the cutting edge environmentally, but to his understanding a decision was made before his arrival to steer away from environmental elements of the building in order to save funds.
Councillor Johnston asked if the roof would support solar panels if funds should become available in the future.
Davis replied that he is confident that the roof would support, but said he would put the question to the engineering firm.
Councillor Watt moved that they follow the recommendation.
The motion passed.
