‘Not a simple binary decision,’ Georgina moving forward with new civic centre project

Yorkregion.com
March 8, 2023

Caught between a rock and a hard place -- to move forward with building a new civic centre or renovating the old building.

After several go-rounds, Georgina council voted 6-1 to proceed with the $50-million project, with councillor Dale Genge the lone project opponent.

“It’s never popular to build a civic centre,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk during a recent council meeting.

“It’s never easy to make these hard decisions. We get paid to make these hard decisions. And sometimes it’s not the popular decision.”

The $50-million project will be funded in part through a dedicated infrastructure tax levy from 2023 and 2024 property taxes, as well as borrowing from town reserves -- both are already embedded in the town’s operating budget.

The 44,600-square-foot building, to be built south of the existing roundabout, will house about 125 staff and have 22 shareable office spaces, 10 collaboration or meeting rooms and a new parking lot.

Council members heard from numerous residents questioning the need for a new building -- and questioning council’s common sense when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars.

Many residents asked the town to delay the project and explore other options. Many also pointed to the lack of public consultation.

“Residents are angry and resentful,” said Karen Wolfe of the Pefferlaw Association of Ratepayers.

“We don’t buy the argument the project needs to be started now … With food, rent and property taxes at an all-time high now is not the time.”

Council members argued spending money on an old building was irresponsible.

“It’s not a simple binary decision,” said councillor Dave Neeson. “We have a responsibility to plan for the future.”

Several councillors also noted the town would have to put tens of millions of dollars into the existing Civic Centre just to meet provincial accessibility standards by 2025.

“This type of renovation carries extreme, extreme risk,” Neeson said.

And pouring money into the existing old building at the end of its life cycle, is “disrespectful of taxpayer dollars,” he added.

Based on preliminary asbestos reports in the existing civic centre, any renovation costs are assumptive since true costs won’t be known until an abatement team gets to work, said councillor Lee Dale. What lies beneath the civic centre basement floor -- pipes, water damage to the foundation -- could also bring up the renovation costs.

“Renovating the existing building could surpass the cost of a new building or come very close,” Dale said. “That’s not being fiscally responsible.”

Not to mention, there are lessons to be learned from renovating and updating older buildings, namely The Link and the Pefferlaw Fire Hall, Dale added.

Council also put a higher emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability for the new building instead of relying on LEED qualifications.

Council’s approval allows project consultants to proceed with tender-ready design concepts, which is expected to come back to council for final approval by the end of the year or early 2024 with construction set to start later that year.

For more information, visit the dedicated civic centre project webpage, georgina.ca.