$16 million Ma-Te-Way expansion gets underway

By R. Bruce McIntyre Local Journalism Initiatve Reporter Renfrew –

Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre is well under way and the timeline to complete the $16.1 million excpansion to the 32-year-old complex is on schedule.

Kevin Hill, the town’s Director of Parks and Recreation, provided a verbal update for council last week and he is pleased with the early developments.

“The excavation and site work has been done and things are going well,” Mr. Hill said. “Of course, as you dig underground there are existing issues with footings and there were some issues we had to address. I am also pleased to announce that the chalet has been moved for the construction of the new (tennis) courts. The existing light stands were moved and work will begin on the new tennis courts in the New Year.”

Mr. Hill said the site works are on schedule and the staff from Bonnechere Excavating Inc. have notified town staff of the progress. He said he is ready to release the next wave of tenders in early January.

He said town staff set a goal of trying to stay one step ahead of the construction schedule and that is why a contract should soon be coming to council for Renfrew Hydro and a refrigeration company in relation to all refrigeration areas that will be part of the construction.

Reeve Peter Emon asked if there were any safeguards for council in the event there are legal issues or insurance claims.

Construction is now underway on the $16.1 million expansion at Renfrew’s Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre. The project includes a second ice surface and an Indigenous Cultural Centre.

Mr. Hill explained the retention of the project management, Buttcon, was made due to the large scale of the project and they bring their expertise to all facets of the project. They prepare and release all tenders, prepare contracts with the sub-contractors who they recommend to council, and manage all aspects of the project from start to finish.

He also pointed out the contracts and sub-contractors that are awarded contracts are based on criteria provided by the town including the provision that effort be made to award the contracts to as many local businesses as possible.

The sub-contractors and actual contracts are brought before council with the option to accept or reject any contractors selected by Buttcon.

Mr. Hill told the Leader that although it is an Ottawa based company, the senior staff member assigned to the Ma-te-Way expansion is Brent Gould, who grew up on the family farm near Cobden. He has been heavily involved in junior hockey in the Ottawa Valley for 15 years and is very familiar with the firms selected to work on site

“I am very pleased to report the working relationship with Buttcon has been going very well and it has been excellent,” he reported.

He said all tenders and contracts have been handled by Buttcon and council has a built-in safeguard in the event there is an issue down the road regarding disputes, legalities, and other standard practices of a construction project of this magnitude.

“All contracts have been signed (except for BEI who are signing independently) and we received comments from Buttcon for our legal counsel and those contracts will be sent to council to sign. We have a motion by council and the agreement is in place to complete the work as presented. In fact, Buttcon made a small change for the betterment of Renfrew that is backed by Cunningham Swann (lawyers) and we’re just waiting to have that authorized from them to proceed.”

He said all bonding will be in place for all the contractors and all insurance and records that are required are in place to safeguard the town from any liability. The actual bonds will be transferred to the town once BEI has signed their individual contract.

Councillor Sandi Heins inquired as to the schedule and costing due to the national supply and demand issue.

Mr. Hill said he will bring forward a listing of all current costs to the next meeting, adding the greatest impact has been in acquiring steel.

“There have been some overages in this area and that will be contained in the report.”

The Ma-te-Way Activity Centre Expansion is a 76,500 square foot addition to the present arena situated in Ma-te-Way Park. The expansion includes an Indigenous Cultural Centre, an NHL sized ice surface, an elevated walking track, fitness centre, regulation sized gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, Parks, Recreation and Facilities administrative offices and lease space.