A splash pad, a sports field clubhouse, and a playground - each Collingwood projects slated for 2020 - have all been put on hold for now while town staff reassess the capital plan for the year and await further direction from the provincial government.
The water feature (splash pad) at Harbourview Park and a new playground at Sunset Point (to replace the eco-park) were both supposed to be under construction by September.
The plan was to cut the ribbon to open both facilities on Thanksgiving weekend.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic control measures, both projects are now on hold, according to Dean Collver, director of parks recreation and culture, who delivered the update last night at council.
As is the Fisher Field clubhouse, which town staff were hoping would be supported by a government grant. The town was waiting to hear back on a funding application it submitted in November to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The grant was supposed to be announced this spring and could potentially have seen the province kicking in 33.3 per cent of the cost, the feds covering 40 per cent and the town paying for 26.7 per cent of the $1.4 M project. Collver said there’s no word yet on the grant application.
“It’s been very difficult to get information,” said Collver during a council meeting last night (April 20).
Though the parks, recreation, and culture department’s big three capital projects for the year are “essentially” on hold, Director Collver said work is still going on behind the scenes.
“We’re still doing background work to make sure we’re tender ready or that the design work is proceeding, all the work that can be done at home,” said Collver. “We’re not planning for the build until we know with more certainty what the timeline looks like.”
Also on hold is the installation of a new mural on the Shipyards Medical Arts Centre on Huron Street. The town was going to put a new mural in place of the former Heading Dockside mural that was removed last year. However, the installation of the mural - originally slated for this fall is paused. The town is, however, still working to choose and artist and design for the mural.
So far, the ad-hoc committee struck to plan the new mural has narrowed the search to three artist finalists, all of whom have received $550 for their participation and design work. The winning artist will receive $20,000 for their work and materials used. The town is covering the cost of installation. The mural will be painted on aluminium panels which will be mounted to the brick wall.
Collingwood Chief Administrative Officer Fareed Amin said the town is getting ready for capital projects, even if they don’t move into the construction phase this year.
“When this pandemic is over and we return to some sense of normalcy the thinking is that these capital projects will be shovel-ready,” said Amin. “The timeline may have shifted, and that’s not unusual with capital projects … I think the intent is to proceed with this, it’s just a matter of when we are able to execute it, but that’s unpredictable now.”
Peggy Slama, director of public works and engineering services, also announced last week another one of the projects currently on hold is the new sidewalk on Hurontario Street between Lockhart Road and Tracey Lane.
“At this time, we’re not certain if this project will proceed in 2020,” said Slama during a council meeting April 8.
The sidewalk is part of a larger capital project including the Hurontario/Lockhart intersection.
“The town is still working through our list of projects that we will proceed with under the current regulations, as well as when some restrictions are lifted,” said Slama in an email today. “We haven’t made a final decision on Hurontario/Lockhart intersection yet.”
Currently, the province has put restrictions on construction.
Slama said there are some tenders going out still, but they now require the contractor to submit a COVID-19 plan, they require longer guarantees on pricing, and the bond required is higher.
CAO Amin said the town is making sure what tenders do go out will allow the project to be cancelled without penalty to the town.
