Council seeks updated design, quote for multi-use building

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Claresholm town council has decided to spend close to $20,000 to hire an architect to provide an updated design and quote to convert the former Claresholm Elementary School building into a town hall and community multi-use facility.
At its Jan. 8 meeting, council reviewed a report from administration outlining the situation and discussed what the next step was.
Marian Carlson, the town’s chief administrative officer, said the ad-hoc committee of council met Dec. 21 with the architect to discuss cost reductions, doing the project in stages, and they asked for a quote.
That estimate, to come up with an updated quote and design, was $18,750 plus GST.
Mayor Doug MacPherson said the problem is the estimated cost is not current, but two years old. He added the design is over the top and can be scaled back to save costs.
So he was in favour of hiring the architect.
Coun. Donna Courage disagreed.
She said council has to do their due diligence which means doing an environmental assessment first to ensure the building is safe.
Coun. Kieth Carlson said the town cannot afford the whole project at this time. The architect will come up with a design to do the project in stages. At that point, the first item on the list is an environmental assessment.
Coun. Brad Schlossberger asked Courage what her proposal is.
She responded that five years ago 35 per cent of the building had to be fixed, and that has risen since then.
Schlossberger asked if she wanted the town to hire an environmental consultant to assess the building then.
Courage said she did, because otherwise the process is backwards. Why hire an architect first, if they do not know if the building is safe?
MacPherson said the previous report includes an environmental assessment.
Moreover, he added the building is safe as long as any asbestos is not disturbed, and it will not be until a plan is created.
Carlson later added no one is arguing with Courage about the need for an environmental assessment.
In the end, council agreed to hire BMZ Architects for an updated drawing and engineered quote in the amount of $18,750 plus GST for the multi-use community building.
In a recorded vote, everyone voted in favour of the motion except Courage who was opposed.