Civic Centre recladding soldiers on, still considered 'essential service'

The Ontario government's crackdown on non-essential construction jobs last week hasn't halted the $6.9-million reglazing and recladding project at Sault Ste. Marie's Civic Centre.

Workers were still toiling on the building's exterior tonight as City Council met by teleconference.

"It is deemed essential," chief administrative officer Malcolm White tells SooToday.

"Part of that is that the building is opened up. To just leave it right now would cause damage," White says, referring to the exposed west side of the leaky 46-year-old waterfront landmark.

"If work stops, we will get water damage" especially with westerly winds. "That would interfere with some of our operations, which are essential by definition."

On March 23, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered all non-essential workplaces to close within two days.

But that COVID-19 measure specifically exempted construction and demolition work in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors and the Civic Centre job survived that first cut.

Then, last Friday, the province introduced more stringent definitions that closed many construction sites at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

"It is something that had to be looked at," White says.

Discussions were held with Morrison Hershfield, the city's Toronto-based engineering consultants.

"After their review – and we've looked at it as well – it is deemed essential," White says.

More news from tonight's City Council meeting:

• city-owned PUC Services Inc. was granted permission to increase its cash reserves and increase its debt capacity "given the turbulent times"
• city staff will look into putting a stop sign at the corner of Texas and Illinois Avenues
• ways will be sought to recognize local COVID-19 heroes
• Avery Construction won a $1.5 million contract to rebuild Second Avenue between Second Line West and Connaught Avenue. That part of Second Line is to close effective May 1
• councillors approved COVID-related delayed spring openings of the city landfill, hazardous waste depot and Pointe des Chenes campground