On Monday, March 24, North Glengarry council voted to cancel a proposed electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Alexandria, citing reduced provincial funding, unexpected infrastructure costs, higher insurance costs, and increased charger cost estimates.
Staff informed council that the EV charging station, originally estimated to cost $200,548, was planned for the Alexandria Main Municipal Carpark (AMMC), with the township committing $90,000 in its 2025 budget deliberations.
Staff suggested reallocating this amount to the Glengarry Sports Palace (GSP) parking lot refurbishment project, which would provide cost savings for the township. The GSP project is estimated to cost $149,653.25 for repaving and catch basin adjustments.
The township had received $90,000 out of a requested $110,548.50 to help fund the EV project through a Ministry of Transportation grant. The grant falls under the EV ChargeON Program, which is used to aid municipalities with green infrastructure development projects and initiatives in Ontario.
Facing a $20,548.50 grant shortfall, rising material and labour costs (up 20 per cent), higher insurance premiums, and required drainage and reconstruction work, staff deemed the project financially unfeasible.
A report stated that geotechnical assessments identified critical issues with the existing parking lot base at the AMMC and indicated substantial drainage and reconstruction improvements at an increased cost.
Staff said that the AMMC’s much-needed work could be seamlessly integrated into the Main Street redevelopment contract.
“That parking lot is brutal—we need to get in there and fix those very large potholes,” Mayor Jamie MacDonald stated.
Council unanimously approved cancelling the project and the reallocation of funds.
