Old Town Hall construction completion date pushed back until spring

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 2, 2015
Chris Simon

Substantial construction on Newmarket's Old Town Hall won't be complete until January, says the town's development and infrastructure services commissioner.

"We're disappointed, but we're trying hard to work with the contractor to finish it," commissioner Peter Noehammer said of the $10 million renovation in an interview with The Era Friday afternoon. "It's been a very challenging project. Our goal is to finish the project right. We want it done well. This is a very important project to the town.

“We've been sensitive to the patience the surrounding community has had with this project all along."

The statement comes months after Councillor Dave Kerwin promised construction would wrap-up by the end of September. Old Town Hall was initially supposed to open in April, but poor weather hampered the construction schedule for the Botsford Street building. Crews could not properly pour concrete and complete steelwork during the most difficult conditions.

However, the latest delays mean the site won't open to the public until spring. The contractor still needs to complete ducts, the HVAC system, flooring, tiling and woodwork, among other elements, Noehammer said.

In recent months, town staff and council tried to prompt the contractor to complete the work. Council granted a noise bylaw exemption so construction crews could begin work at 8 a.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer and staff have pushed for a firm schedule in recent weeks.

"We were concerned with the progress the contractor was making of late," Noehammer said, noting that once the contractor completes work, town crews will still be tasked with moving furniture, installing security systems and phone connections and putting other 'finishing touches' into the building. "They mentioned they were having some challenges with some of their trades. They have dozens of different contracts with material suppliers and vendors. They were having scheduling problems. They are committed to bringing additional resources into the project and working extended hours."

Once the renovations are complete, the building will feature meeting rooms, storage space and an updated theatre. It will also be accessible and capable of hosting art exhibitions. The building, constructed circa 1883, has housed council, a police station and a jail.

“We are disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to share this monumental occasion with our residents this year," Mayor Tony Van Bynen said in a press release. “This represents another bump in the road, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to do this right.

“The Old Town Hall has been a pillar of our community for over 100 years and will serve our community for the next 100 years and beyond.”