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The divide among Rideau Lakes council continued to be on full display when the future of the municipal offices once again made its way to chambers late last month.
Some Rideau Lakes councillors don’t agree with the figures IDEA, the consultants hired to provide cost comparisons between renovating the Chantry site and building a new one elsewhere, came up with.
IDEA priced the cost of an on-site renovation around $3.6 million, and a new build at $3.5 million in their report.
As a result, the Township will spend $98,000 going to tender to receive a new costing for the on-site renovation directive.
The decision itself, to narrow in on an on-site renovation to the Chantry offices in lieu of a new build, goes against popular public and staff opinion, Councillor Marcia Maxwell said.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom submitted an amendment to the original motion calling for a public referendum to hear resident’s thoughts on the offices, if they should build new or renovate the existing site.
That motion failed with five opposed (Jeff Banks, Paula Banks, Linda Carr, Sue Dunfield, Deborah Anne Hutchings), to three in favour (Hoogenboom, Maxwell, Ron Pollard).
Story by Grant Deme
