A new Public Works Operations Centre in Smiths Falls is moving closer to construction, with town staff expecting the project to go to tender within weeks and potentially break ground in July.
Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn presented updated site and floor plans for the proposed facility during the June 1 committee of the whole meeting, describing the project as a purpose-built operations centre designed to support both public works and community services for years to come.
“We wanted to ensure that we weren’t simply building it for today,” McMunn told council.
The proposed facility would replace the former public works garage damaged by fire in February 2025. Public works staff have since been operating out of temporary arrangements, including warehouse space and trailers.
According to the report before council, the project carries an approved 2026 capital budget of $10.45 million, including demolition of the existing structure, construction of the new operations building, cold storage, parking areas and a fueling depot.
McMunn said the design process involved extensive consultation with staff and consultants to ensure operational needs were addressed before tendering begins.
The proposed layout includes:
- Five drive-through garage bays;
- Interior wash bay;
- Repair area with mechanical lift capability;
- Administrative offices;
- Training and meeting space;
- Lunchrooms;
- Change rooms and showers;
- Cold storage space for community services equipment; and,
- Fueling infrastructure and backup power generation.
McMunn said some areas were intentionally designed with future growth in mind, including additional office space and the potential to support future staffing needs.
Mayor Shawn Pankow and Coun. Peter McKenna raised questions about long-term sustainability features, including electric vehicle charging capacity, solar readiness and future climate-related infrastructure planning.
Pankow noted the town’s climate protection goals and suggested the building should be designed to adapt to evolving technologies over time.
“We want to ensure that we future build it for a changing world,” Pankow said.
McMunn said he would speak with project architect Chris Werner-Smith about whether solar compatibility, future retrofits and other environmental considerations could still be incorporated before the project goes to tender.
Coun. Chris McGuire voiced concerns about the scale and potential cost of the project, particularly given current borrowing pressures and uncertainty surrounding final tender pricing.
“I’ve got an uneasy feeling about it,” McGuire said, noting concerns about the number of office spaces, multiple plumbing areas, separate lunchrooms and construction elements he believes could increase costs unnecessarily.
McGuire also suggested council may need to consider value engineering if tenders return higher than expected.
“I feel like there’s still opportunities for savings,” he said.
McMunn stressed the plans remain focused on operational efficiency, health and safety improvements and long-term functionality, particularly following years of deficiencies at the previous facility.
Council received the report for information. McMunn said he would discuss potential environmental and energy-related design considerations with the project architect before the project proceeds to tender.
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