Roof replacements for Aquatic, Family Centres

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Roof replacements will continue on the Strathmore Aquatic and Family Centres, following initial budget shortfalls on the projects.

Due to what was described to Strathmore town council as “unforeseen circumstances,” administration reported a funding shortfall of $545,000 for both projects. 

The town originally contracted Williams Engineering in 2019 to complete a building assessment on both municipally owned buildings that, at 20 and 35 years of age, respectively, had been identified as nearing their end of life.

Mayor Pat Fule said once the full extent of the damage to both facilities had been assessed, replacement of both roofs was necessary to keep the facilities functional and safe.

“I think once the engineering company got up there, they were able to determine the full extent of the damages, the wearing and the problems with the ceiling and certain electrical areas,” he said. “For those people who are worried about this, council received two full reports on the roof of the Aquatic Centre, as well as the roof of the Family Centre, and they’re serious enough that we didn’t think it was good enough to just repair.”

The original budgets to have the buildings repaired was $265,000 for the Aquatic Centre and just over $1.1 million for the Family Centre. 

Town administration submitted a proposal to the Alberta government’s municipal stimulus program in September 2020 for roof replacements, having identified them as nearing their end of life. 

Currently, administration is seeking additional funds through Infrastructure Canada’s green and inclusive community buildings to cover the shortfall.

Fule added if the application fails to process and the town is unable to secure additional funding, federal gas tax money will be directed to cover the expense instead.

“We’re using some of the money that the province forwarded for municipalities to help the COVID situation, as well as gas tax money,” he noted. “These two roof replacements will not affect property taxes at all; it just means that we may have to use some federal gas tax money on these projects.”

Once the town knows where funding is coming from to complete the projects, work is expected to continue within 14 days of securing the tender.

“Both buildings serve our community so well and many, many people use those facilities … we’ve got to make sure the roof is safe,” said Fule.

The goal is to see both completed before the end of the summer so the facilities can be open for use as COVID-19 restrictions lift.