The Region of Queen’s council recently voted to approve a $1.9 million project to replace the air conditioning system on the Liverpool Business Development Centre.
The current system is approaching the end of its 20-year lifespan and a staff report presented at council indicated throughout its lifespan it has required repairs and maintenance above and beyond what is typically expected.
The building which formerly served as a call centre is now used as offices for multiple businesses which meant the Region needed to find a solution quickly to ensure there was an adequate air circulation system or potentially breach the terms of the various lease agreements with the tenants.
Earlier in the year, they commissioned a report by engineering firm DUMAC to assess their options. They found the Region could either undertake a single system installation which was estimated to cost $1.2 million or a four-quadrant system at a cost of $1.5 million.
Ultimately, Council opted for the latter choice and allocated additional funds in anticipation of further costs, they plan to pay for half of the project’s $1.9 million budget with funds from their operating reserve and borrow for the other half.
There will be a cost to that decision, with notes from the council meeting minutes indicating it will result in a one per cent tax increase at some point.
A selection from the Region of Queens Council Minutes indicates the plan being undertaken for the old call centre AC replacement and the impact it will have. Photo: Region of Queens.
The Region would like to begin the work as soon as possible but is anticipating delays related to the ongoing supply shortage impacting construction projects across the world.
