TOWN FACES INFLATION PRESSURES

COUNCIL DEFERS MORE THAN $3.3M IN PROJECTS TO 2023

Inflation is driving up the cost of a number of capital projects on the Town of New Tecumseth's to-do list.

At a working session held June 16, council received a report, identifying the projects that will require additional funding. The projects include:

• The Tottenham pipeline and Mill Street reservoir expansion (+$2 million)

• The 12th Line Bridge replacement (+$330,000)

• Beeton Tennis Court reconstruction (+$95,000)

• New splash pad shade

structure at Riverdale Park (+$35,000)

• Fire Station 4 in Alliston (+$1.1 million)

• Replacing the Lions Pavilion at Riverdale Park (+$150,000)

• A new roof top unit at

the Tottenham Community Centre (+$60,000)

• Accessible washroom upgrades at the Beeton library branch (+$35,000).

Dan Burton, the town's director of parks and recreation, told council the increases

for the projects at Riverdale Park are about 30 to 35 per cent more than the previous estimates, which is "within the realm" of the price escalation happening in the construction industry and the cost of materials. Council approved a series of motions, specific to each project.

The splash pad shade structure and pavilion will move forward, using reserves to fund the shortfall. But staff will also contact the provincial and federal government to see if additional funding can be provided through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The extra funding needed for the water main and reservoir project and fire station will be covered through a debenture; the 12th Line bridge works will be covered through gas tax funding; the Beeton tennis court reconstruction will come from the asset replacement reserve; and the roof top unit and washroom upgrades will come from taxation.

More than $3.3 million in projects set to take place this year were deferred to 2023.

The list includes:

• Generator for the Tottenham Community Centre ($175,000)

• Beeton Community Centre project design and tender documents ($100,000)

• Faulkner Park pathway and park lighting ($128,000)

• All Wheels Park ($169,000)

• Belterra Park Development ($1,222,732)

• Brookfield Park Development ($894,848)

• Trail development ($500,000)

• Trans Canada Trail Phase 3, connection from Beeton to Tottenham, feasibility study ($125,000). But it's not all bad news. Staff identified approximately $2.4 million in savings related to improvements for the Hillcrest Well Pumping Station in Alliston, which can be used to offset some of the cost overruns for the other projects.