Three weeks after approving the winning bid to construct Boyle’s new Municipal Centre, village council has had to begin the process all over again.
At council’s regular meeting last Wednesday night, administration recommended council rescind the motion made on Oct. 15 to enter into an agreement with Kalcon Services to construct the building following some legal advice the village received.
Council unanimously rescinded the motion, and following an in-camera session, approved a motion that will now see the entire project put out to tender once again.
Chief administrative officer Charlie Ashbey explained that the contract that council originally approved did not meet the terms that were set out in the request for proposals (RFP) that was advertised.
“The initial RFP put out by our consultant was for a design build, but the proposal that council had accepted was a construction management service contract,” Ashbey stated.
“In order to avoid any potential legal issues with the unsuccessful bidders, which mostly likely would have occurred from the information I was getting, council decided to rescind the original one and reissue the RFP as a construction management services contract.”
Ashbey added that council is more comfortable with this way of building, as they can have more direct control of the project since the village can go and talk to the project manager who is at the site instead of dealing with an architect and design firm as well as a contractor.
As far as delaying the opening of the building – which will include a 4,000 square foot town hall, new library space of 3,000 sq. ft., about 500 sq. ft. for the historical society along with a senior’s drop in centre that would be around 5,500 sq. ft. – Ashbey believes there won’t be any problems meeting the anticipated opening date next fall.
“Council will have their choice to make at the first meeting in December and hope to have tenders out by the end of January,” he said.
“And if we keep our foot on the gas, we should be able to get it done right on time.”
Library, Quilting delegations
Council received a pair of delegations at the meeting – members of the Boyle Public Library presenting their budget and the Boyle Gathering Stitches Quilt group looking for help with a future space.
Peter Golanski and Cheri Grabski from the library board told council they are asking the village to increase their contribution by about $500, or two per cent, to their nearly $60,000 budget. A nominal increase is also coming from the summer villages and Athabasca County.
The library is expecting an $1,800 jump in revenue over 2014, but also a hike in expenses by nearly $1,000.
However, with the new library space in the Municipal Centre slated to be ready late next year, the board is looking for help in getting the high-speed fibre optic SuperNet connection moved, which could cost between $20,000 to $50,000.
“Without it, we could no longer operate as part of the (Alberta) library system and that means not being able to bring in books from other libraries,” Golanski said.
Grabski added, “And with the new space, we hope to make it a social hub, we envision it being a new meeting place with a broader perspective.”
Council asked them to keep them updated on the progress and potential costs of moving the SuperNet.
As for the quilting group, they requested that council consider letting them have some space in the community centre basement once the village moves into the new Municipal Centre.
Spokesperson Ann Fraser specifically asked for the current village office space in recognition of former member Diane Duplessis. The space would also allow for better access, more storage and space for shows and retreats.
