LAURIE WEIR

The Township of Rideau Lakes is moving forward on the proposed drawings to retrofit the Chantry municipal offices. 

The committee discussed the plans during a regular meeting of the municipal services on Monday, Feb. 24. 

The MSC recommended to council that the 33 per cent construction working drawings for the Chantry Municipal Office Renovation and Addition, prepared by IDEA, be approved. The recommendation was passed following a recorded vote with Councillors Jeff Banks, Deborah Ann Hutchings, Sue Dunfield, Linda Carr, and Deputy Mayor Paula Banks voting in favour, despite Mayor Arie Hoogenboom noting he was not at the last meeting of the working group, and that he felt the township couldn’t afford a $4 million project at this time. Councillors Marcia Maxwell, Joan Delaney and Ron Pollard were not in favour of the project moving forward at this time either. 

The proposed revisions to the township offices include extending the Public Works office hall to provide access to the rear patio, relocating a washroom for staff convenience, adding soundproofing to ensure confidentiality, and incorporating kitchen appliances in the contractor’s contract. The working group also discussed the installation of a generator for continuity in governance and an upgraded septic system.

IDEA will now proceed with the 66 per cent construction drawings, set for completion by March 31, 2025. A tender for construction is planned for release on May 23, 2025. A potential office relocation for up to eight weeks will be required to accommodate the necessary infrastructure updates.