MANITOWANING—Assiginack council has given its blessing for an engineering report to be undertaken to provide definitive costs on rehabilitating or replacing the building that currently houses both Canada Post and the Bank of Montreal in Manitowaning.
Alton Hobbs, CAO/deputy clerk was instructed by council at a meeting in January to investigate a cost estimate for modular buildings to house both corporations while repairs were taking place at their current location, 115 Arthur Street.
“I received a rough estimate from a company that does modular buildings, a very quick quote, based on the same exact square footage of the existing building, putting the modulars in the same place, somewhere else or renovating the basement,” said Mr. Hobbs. The estimate was for $475,000 for modulars as an alternative to restoring the building (which has been estimated previously at $703,000).
Councillor Jennifer Hooper said that she is not in favour of renovating the basement of the present building and having a new building constructed on top of this structure. She pointed out a large portion of the costs of restoring the building is due to the condition of the foundation of the building.
One of the suggestions that came out of council’s discussion was putting either the post office or bank in the existing library and looking at other options to house the other tenant.
Another suggestion was that it might be cheaper to have a new building constructed for the library and turning the existing library into space for both the post office and the bank.
“We can’t make a decision until an engineering study is done,” said Councillor Rob Maguire, who pointed out that Manitoulin Streams is currently housed in the basement of the library building. “I like the idea of rehabilitating the current building (at 115 Arthur Street) as long as it is cost effective”
It was further pointed out the township would have to spend about $35,000 for an engineering study to be carried out.
“We definitely need full information on the condition of the foundation (at the bank and post office building), and the end-to-end costs to fix the building,” said Councillor Janice Bowerman. “But I would still like us to review our asset list of the buildings and lot that we have.”
Mayor Reid said, “if we are talking about a new building, when? We cannot take on the costs of building another building without grants.”
“I think more concrete costing is needed,” said Councillor Maguire. “They (bank and post office) have been in the same building for a number of years now, and I would like them to remain in the same building providing that it is cost effective.”
Councillor Dwayne Elliott said, “we still don’t have the final costs. I don’t have enough information at this time to make a final decision.” He said a full report on the report should take place, noting an engineers’ report carried out in 2021 indicated the work needed would cost $703,000, including a lot of cosmetic repairs.
After further discussion of council, it was decided the township is seeking a report on the updated costs on the options of restoring the existing building and the costs of a new building.
