The new Prescott and Russell Residence project in Hawkesbury is within budget, but mayors still want more answers about when the new public long-term care facility will be ready for occupancy.
According to a report presented to United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Council on Wednesday, October 22, construction costs remain within the overall project budget of approximately $93 million.
Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski said he wants more clarity on the completion and occupancy of the new facility at the next regular council meeting in November.
“We are getting questions around that,” he said.
UCPR Treasurer Valérie Parisien assured Tarnowski that the completion and occupancy of the new Residence will be discussed at the November meeting.
Earlier in October, the UCPR announced that it and the Town of Hawkesbury have been working together to resolve a matter related to the interpretation of Ontario’s Building Code and the facility’s fire alarm system. To determine the way forward and avoid further delays, the UCPR has requested the Ontario Building Code Commission (BCC) to review the matter. The matter must be resolved by the BCC before an occupancy permit may be issued.
The BCC process may take 10 to 12 weeks once initiated. The UCPR will have a better idea of when the move-in dates may be once the Commission makes a decision.
Once the UCPR obtains the occupancy permit, the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care will also complete its own quality control inspections.
The Nation Mayor Francis Brière said he would like to see a more detailed history of the project budget and how it has progressed because he was not a member of the UCPR council when it began. He also said the public is asking about when the new facility will be open.
“I myself am getting a lot of questions now.”
“There is a lot of pressure that’s mounting because of the need for these beds.”
Treasurer Parisien said the forecasted costs for the residence started at about $89 million out of an approved budget of $93 million, there is still about $1.3 million unused.
Brière noted that the original budget was $89 million.
“If it wasn’t for all of the ups and downs that we’ve gone through, we would have been way under budget. Is that what you are saying?” he asked.
Treasurer Parisien said that being significantly under budget was possible, but there were delays during construction, and the project is still within budget. She said the timing of the Request for Proposals calling for contractors for the project was good because it was issued before the COVID-19 pandemic when prices were lower.
