Tender approved for new roof at Amherstburg Community Hub

Town council has approved the tender for a new roof at the Amherstburg Community Hub in the amount of $829,257.51 plus applicable taxes.

The Amherstburg Community Hub is getting a new roof with the tender having been awarded by town council.

Five sections of roof on the building at 320 Richmond St., the former St. Bernard School, will be replaced, with the tender being awarded to 2198433 Ontario Ltd. Accent Roofing and Siding in the amount of $829,257.51 plus applicable taxes. Town council also approved an over-expenditure of $50,000, funded from the general reserve fund, to help cover the cost of the tender.

Facilities manager Terry Fasan said in a report to town council that council approved a roof inspection program in the 2023 capital budget “to inspect, repair, and/or replace roofs at various town facility buildings with in Amherstburg.” In 2026, Fasan stated a capital budget issue paper identified the roof replacement at 320 Richmond St. in the amount of $800,000.

“The roof inspections remain consistent in revealing some critical issues that require attention at 320 Richmond street (the Hub). The roof at 320 Richmond Street (the Hub) has reached end of life and needs to be replaced. Patching the existing roof structure is not feasible and the roof requires removal and replacement,” Fasan wrote in his report to town council.

In consultation with Tremco Canada, an invitational RFQ was issued to five contractors, he added, with that RFQ issues Feb. 6 outlining the scope of the work required. A mandatory site meeting was held Feb. 11 and submissions due Feb. 19. Fasan stated all five submitted compliant quotes were above budget.

“The roof at 320 Richmond (the Hub) is at end of life and requires replacement. There is a moderate to high risk that any delay or deferral of the roof replacement for the Hub facility could result in increased costs and additional maintenance increasing the potential for structural damage to the building which may result in a reduced level of service for the Town. In order to mitigate this risk, it is recommended that the roof be replaced. Roof replacement will help provide a longer service life for the building and lower future maintenance and utility costs,” Fasan’s report stated.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb said the work has to be carried out.

“This has to be done,” the deputy mayor stated. “That building needs to be done. Like it says in the report, if we don’t do this now, it could cause structural damage to the building.”

Gibb said he has heard from tenants of the building that the roof is become more of an issue. 

“We have to do this. We have to maintain that building,” said Gibb.

Councillor Peter Courtney outlined ongoing concerns about how the acquisition of the building was originally presented to town council during the last term of council. He said money from H. Murray Smith Centennial Park was put into the Hub.

“We have to put a roof over this. It’s taking care of some good community groups,” said Courtney. “I’ll support (the motion) because we’re too far into it.”

Courtney added he wants to see what the total investment is at the site is to the property. On a positive note, he added the town did sell two residential lots to the north of the property along Victoria St. S. and the lands that were sold on the east side of the property where the new Chateau Park Long-Term Care Home is being built.

Courtney asked for a report on how much money was put into it and how much revenue has been created. He said he is asking for capital costs and expenses.

Clerk Kevin Fox pointed out a similar report was released a couple of years ago but a new report could be created.

“I just want to see where we’re at,” said Courtney. “Taxpayers should know. It is a money pit.”

Tender approved for new roof at Amherstburg Community Hub

By Ron Giofu