If Oro-Medonte Township council approves a budget request for an additional $712,000 at a special council meeting Wednesday, construction of the township’s new $23.8 million elementary school/community centre at 739 Horseshoe Valley Rd. W. can begin.
In his report to council, Shawn Binns, director of operations and community services for Oro-Medonte, said the township’s portion of the project has an anticipated budget of $8,471,442.86, which exceeds the current approved budget of $7,759,177 by $712,266.
“The joint venture project with the Simcoe County District School Board has followed a dynamic path over the past several years,” Binns said. “The tender pricing received reflects competitive market pricing obtained through a public process.”
Following a pre-qualification process completed last year, the project was put to tender on behalf of the partnership by the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) in August. The tender closed on Oct. 3, 2023.
Four firms bid on the project.
Remo General Contracting Ltd. of Brampton submitted a bid of $26,247,000. Percon Construction Inc. of Toronto bid $27,525,000. Tambro Construction Ltd. of Guelph bid $27,910,000 and Garritano Bros Ltd. of Oshawa bid $29,835,140.
“Following the pre-qualification process and a review of the bid submissions, it is recommended that the contract be awarded to Remo General Contracting,” Binns said in the report.
As part of the process, Remo General Contracting was required to provide a preliminary breakdown of pricing to determine proportional share costing.
According to Binns’ report, Oro-Medonte’s share of costs will be:
- Construction contract value (HST not incl.) - $7,378,886.45
- Contingency (3.5%) - $258,261.03
- Professional fees - $424,776.71
- Furniture and equipment - $75,000.00
- Miscellaneous - $188,000.00
- HST @ 1.76% - $146,518.67
- Total cost - $8,471,442.86
If Oro-Medonte council votes in favour of providing the additional funding on Wednesday, they will have put the final touch on a project that was started a decade ago.
The township originally purchased the land at 739 Horseshoe Valley Rd. W. in 2013 with the hope of building a community centre on the site. In the years following the purchase, the township made it known to the board of education that it was interested in forming a partnership, if the opportunity presented itself.
In 2018, the township and the SCDSB formalized an agreement and the Ministry of Education approved $9 million in funding.
When it was originally announced, the school planned to accommodate 357 pupils. Current plans have increased that number to 570.
The school is expected to have three kindergarten classrooms, 11 regular classrooms, two resource rooms, a learning centre, a library and a full-size gymnasium, which is to be shared with the community centre.
The community centre portion of the facility will be approximately 14,500 square feet and include administrative space with self-service kiosks in the lobby area, a multi-purpose/program room, custodial areas and washrooms, and change rooms.
The design, including site and servicing plans, also includes provisions for a 11,150-square-foot addition to potentially accommodate a multi-purpose area and fitness centre or space for other future township needs.
According to Binns’ report, funding for the project was primarily comprised of development charges totalling $5,580,193.
“The township is currently undergoing a detailed development charges study which should substantiate some increased funding through this source,” Binns said.
“There is a component of the joint venture agreement with our partners to provide for a land transfer value. This was valued at $1,730,000. The remaining funding was anticipated to come from reserves ($298,984) and debentures ($150,000).”
Binns said staff will report back to council in early 2024 with funding options once the development charges study is completed.
Additionally, Binns noted, staff will provide council with the final joint venture agreement with the SCDSB in the first quarter of 2024.
