Replacing elevators in tall buildings sure isn’t cheap.
Grey County council learned that lesson at its meeting on Nov. 14 when council voted unanimously in favour of a costly, more than $800,000, elevator replacement project at a county apartment building on 14th Street in Owen Sound.
Because the project exceeded $500,000, Anne Marie Shaw, the county’s director of community services, brought the project directly to council for approval.
“This is the first time we’ve replaced an elevator,” she said. “It’s a new experience for us.”
The eight floor apartment building has two elevator cars and both have reached the end of their useful lives and need to be replaced. Shaw said the current elevators often need repairs and parts are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire.
The replacement project will cost $866,864. The budget for the work was $800,000 and the overage will be funded through a general reserve fund.
Allan Hasting Ltd. was the lone bidder for the work and received the contract.
“The tender proposes to modernize two geared traction elevators including new cars, motors, electrical systems, mechanical systems, life safety systems and guarding equipment,” Shaw said in her report.
