ALMONTE NEEDS NEW CURLING REFRIGERATION PLANT

The curling refrigeration plant in Almonte isn't as cool as it once was.

Original to the John Levi Community Centre in 1989, it's seen better days. Mississippi Mills council is hoping an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant will help pay for its replacement. The foursheet facility is attached to the community centre.

At the March 7 committee of the whole meeting, recreation manager Calvin Murphy brought council an ask to start the tender process for a new chiller.

"We want to apply for a Trillium grant to try and secure some funding for this particular project," he explained. "We'll go forward and have the project put out to tender with a clause specifically stating the project would not proceed if we did not receive funding."

The reason for issuing the tender, Murphy said, is to obtain quotes needed for the $150,000 OTF grant application. This isn't the first time an OTF grant has been sought for the project. Staff, along with members of the Almonte Curling Club (ACC), submitted an application in 2021.

"We were not successful at that time. Some of the feedback that came back to us, as part of the application, was they were looking for more than one quote for the project," he stated. "We were able to give them one, but they're looking for more than one."

The push for grant funding comes after council asked staff to investigate other sources for funding in December 2022. At that time, they denied pre-budget

approval of $250,000 in December 2022, over and above the $250,000 in the 2022 budget. That amount has been moved to 2023.

The ACC is also throwing

money in and have committed a $5,000 annual contribution throughout their rental agreement, according to Murphy.

Murphy said the OTF grant application would be submitted by the June 16, 2023 deadline with a response expected by October.

Coun. Denzil Ferguson wondered what the turnaround time was for issuing the tender.

"The tender documents are roughly 90 per cent at this point and it would be bundling up those drawings in time to tender in the spring so we can have everything back in mid-May in time for the Trillium grant application," explained facilities and project manager Dan Cousineau.

"With respect to the equipment, we're not going to get it in for next (curling) season," Murphy added.

Mayor Christa Lowry questioned if there's a health and safety issue or simply a mechanical risk if the plant fails.

"It's a mechanical risk," Cousineau answered. "With the age of the equipment, if we're able to source replacement parts, there will be long lead times and hefty premiums to purchase them."

Lowry was also concerned about the way the tender was written and if council would be committed to going forward with the project.

Chief administrative officer Ken Kelly clarified that the tender will be clear so "bidders know there's a potential this project will not proceed."

"We're not going to award this project until such time that council has had the discussion based on the information of the Trillium grant and everyone is comfortable that the funds for this project will be borrowed," he explained.