The North Kawartha Health Centre will be getting a few key upgrades, but the planned addition has been delayed.
During the July 14 North Kawartha Council meeting, a report was presented by Matt Aldom, Chief Building Official for the township updating council on the addition and upgrades needed for the centre.
According to the report, council approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the North Kawartha Health Centre (NKHC) renovations within their 2023-26 Strategic Plan.
In the 2026 Capital Budget, $175,000 was allocated for an addition and renovations to the NKHC and an additional $25,000 was budgeted for the replacement of the shingles on the roof of the NKHC.
Staff put out the RFP last month with a closing date of June 30. Two submissions were received by the township, with both being significantly over budget. One submission was from Beacon Construction (Ontario) Limited in the amount of $401,880.21 (including HST) and did not include the provisional item of replacement: the roof shingles.
The other submission was from Rubicon General Contracting Limited in the amount of $224,346.43 (including HST) and provided additional pricing for the provisional item of replacement of the roof shingles in the amount of $48,600 (excluding HST).
Aldom told council that because of this, he is recommending that council hold off on renovations to the NKHC until a Building Facilities Review and Building Conditions Assessment (BCA) has been completed and that the immediate capital improvements, such as new flooring in the dental office, HVAC alterations and new roofing on the existing building be completed this year.
The immediate work needed at the NKHC would be funded through the existing budget for 2026.
Coun. Colin McLellan asked Aldom why the floor in the dentist office needed to be replaced when it was just done a few years ago.
Aldom explained that the floor in the dentist office was renovated during COVID by the dentist himself and was wearing through. The floor would be replaced with commercial grade flooring the township had already purchased for the addition of the NKHC to be consistent with the rest of the facility.
The recommendation to postpone the addition of the NKHC and continue with the necessary renovations this year was approved by council.
