Civic Centre facelift subcontractor gets fired. Completion now set for year's end

If construction noise levels inside Sault Ste. Marie's Civic Centre are any indication, the pace of the $6.9-million window- and cladding-replacement project there has picked up considerable steam.

"Due to initial concerns with the speed at which the project was progressing, the contractor changed to a new subcontractor who has been working onsite for several weeks," Don Elliott, director of engineering services, tells SooToday.

"Anticipated contractor scheduled completion is by year-end," Elliott says.

"To date, glazing and window frames on the seventh floor are now complete with waterproofing, membrane application and sub-framing for cladding panels underway."

"Glazing and window frames are completed on council chambers and cladding support has begun in this area."

"On the east elevation of the tower, structural steel welding and installation is ongoing to facilitate lateral support for the curtain wall which has also begun."

"Approximately one-third of the curtain wall framing is on site as well as one-half of the new windows," Elliott said.

Work on the building by general contractor Cy Rheault Construction Ltd. of Timmins began in June, 2018.

The work was originally expected to be complete by June of this year, but Elliott told SooToday last December that it was running about two months behind schedule with completion expected by summer or early fall.

"The primary purpose of the windows and cladding project is to protect the existing 45-year-old structure from further degradation," Elliott said on Wednesday.

"Under the 2015 asset management plan, the replacement of the exterior metal panels and windows on the Civic Centre was identified as a priority. The 2015 cladding refurbishment feasibility study stated that major issues with the existing systems included metal panel support deterioration, air and water barrier deficiencies and penetration, an inability to source new windows of the same colour as the existing, and numerous seal failures in insulated windows. As a result, the building was in need of repairs."

On Dec. 4, 2017 as City Council approved its 2018 municipal budget, SooToday reported that water was pouring by the bucket through the the Civic Centre's east wall.