OLDS — The COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay in the arrival of a major piece of equipment for the new Operations Centre.
But in the end, the facility, under construction along 70th Avenue, near Rotary Athletic Park, should still open around early March, according to operations director Scott Chant.
The $10.5 million facility will allow for staff and equipment from three older buildings to be consolidated into one location.
During a council meeting last month, Chant said arrival of the air handling system, slated to go into the administrative part of the building, was delayed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the company that makes it.
“That is the only COVID-related slowdown that we’ve experienced,” Chant told councillors.
Despite that setback, Chant said construction of the facility is still “on track” for an opening in early March.
“At this point, as far as we’ve been told is that they’re still on target to be basically handing the keys over the early part of March. They’re still showing the end of February for substantial completion of the main building,” he said.
He said the project’s budget is “on track” too.
Chant said MPE Engineering, the genral contractor for the project, has “fairly stringent” protocols in place to prevent its employees or those of subcontractors from contracting or spreading COVID-19.
He said a big part of the work currently is installing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and sprinkler systems as well as all the drywall in the building’s administration area.
“An incredible amount of drywall that needs to get put on the walls for fire separation and stuff -- and on the ceilings as well,” he said.
An MPE Engineering rep was expected to provide council with an update during council’s Feb. 1 policies and priorities meeting.
