OLDS — When feasible, local subcontractors will be hired to work on constructing the new $8 million operations centre, according to the municipality's operations director Scott Chant.
That was his answer to a query from Coun. Wanda Blatz during the town’s June 1 policies and priorities meeting.
“I think we’ve had this conversation many times, but we did stress to try to use as many local subcontractors as possible, correct,” Blatz asked.
“Yes, we’ve had that conversation,” Chant replied.
“If it makes economic sense to do so. But also, it was very clear that if they were, you know, high — outside the margin by a drastic amount — we also wanted to make sure that our taxpayers were still getting the best value for their dollar as well.”
Construction of the operations centre is just in its early stages, Chant said.
It will be located along 70th Avenue where the wastewater treatment area was.
Its purpose is to consolidate operations staff and equipment in one building, instead of the current three older structures.
Chant said a few subcontractors have been chosen for the project already.
He said as of a couple of weeks ago, the general contractor was still looking at what would be needed for electrical and other aspects of the job.
“We have strongly encouraged them to communicate with all the people who have put their submissions in to where they are in the process,” Chant said.
“A couple of people have called enquiring about that, so that’s what they’re supposed to be doing: letting all of the people that they’d received tenders from (know) where they are in the process and what they’re looking at.”
