The design of the new municipal garage to be constructed in Hawkesbury has been unveiled.
Director of Public Works Jonathan Wilson presented the design to town council on Monday, April 8.
In October 2022, Hawkesbury council decided to build a new municipal garage to replace the current facility on Main Street East, which is more than 50 years old and in poor condition. In April 2023 council approved awarding the preliminary design contract for the new garage to EXP. The new garage is projected to cost $7,245,000.
Wilson explained how the new facility at 1300 Spence Avenue near the winter snow dumping site will provide secure storage for municipal vehicles and equipment, as well as additional workspace for maintenance and operations. The building will have a total area of 18,300 square feet/1,700 square metres, a salt storage dome of 7,965 square feet/740 square metres, and a hangar of 3,875 square feet/740 square metres. Four garage doors on the north side and four doors on the south side will allow traffic from one side to the other. The surface area of the garage is to be 9,000 square feet/885.5 square metres. A second garage for maintenance and mechanic work, will be at the rear of the building. It will have two garage doors and an area of 3,271 square feet/303.9 square metres. The two garages will be separated by a storage area.
The call for tender process to find a general contractor to construct the new municipal garage is currently underway and ends on April 25. The Town of Hawkesbury plans to begin construction in early summer 2024. Construction is expected to extend over a period of one year.
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois asked if Department of Public Works Employees were being asked for input on the design and features of the new garage.
“Employees have been consulted about the facilities at the garage,” Wilson replied.
He said comments and suggestions from employees have been used in the design process.
