Strathmore centres receive necessary upgrades

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

The accumulative strain on the infrastructure of two public facilities required two council’s attention ahead of the 2016 budget-year and resulted in the dispensation of thousands of dollars for upgrades.
Over the years, increased usage – due to expansion in summer sport programs and daytime ice usage – caused the Strathmore Family Centre’s doors, especially its handicap-access mechanical systems, to withstand greater wear-and-tear. The east entrance to the Strathmore Civic Centre also endured damage from harsh weather conditions in previous winters, where closing the warped doors required a chain and deadbolt because its hardware, doorframe, and doors no longer locked in the cold temperatures, administration said.
With thousands of dollars being exhausted in maintenance every year, town council signed off on spending over $66,000 on a replacement.
“This upgrade will allow so that both sets of doors open when you hit the one outside button or the inside button depending on which direction you are going, which will make it easier for those people in wheelchairs or walkers, as well as kids carrying gigantic bags of hockey equipment,” said Tracy Simpson, community services coordinator with the town. “We feel that with replacing the full four sets of doors we’ll alleviate a large portion of this maintenance cost.”
Concerns, regarding both projects, were raised at the 2015 spring workshop with a request that both items already be brought before council this year. Administration informed council on July 8, that maintenance on the Strathmore Civic Centre doors cost between $2,500 and $6,000 annually. A quote provided by Starcraft Construction, includes the removal of the facility’s eight doors, installation of eight hollow metal doors with glass, the installation of four handicapped operators, and painting the doors and hardware.
“We were talking to the different companies, and they said one of our biggest problems is that our doors are all glass, and glass is just not as durable,” Simpson said. “They’re suggesting a replacement of a fully steel door with only a small window at the top, so that it’d be more secure.”
Starcraft Construction also proposed providing the Strathmore Family Centre with modifications and service to its eight doors. It will ensure the doors not blow past 90 degrees, prevent heat loss and frosting, and allow for the doors to be locked and secured properly – an option posing a struggle currently.
“This is long past due to have this repaired and I have absolutely no concerns,” said Councillor Bob Sobol.
Town council awarded Starcraft Construction, who proposed the lowest bid, with upgrading the Strathmore Family Centre doors for $25,059, while providing necessary upgrades to the Strathmore Civic Centre for $41,123. Councillor Brad Walls and Councillor Pat Fule were absent during the July 8 regular council meeting.