Repairing various issues staff in the Chantry municipal office of Rideau Lakes face is now on the table as a total retrofit looks dead in the water following Mayor Arie Hoogenboom using strong mayor powers to veto the project going to tender.
The maintenance work is a step they now have to explore, says Councillor Jeff Banks.
Councillor Paula Banks said she wouldn’t support keeping the building open for another purpose other than offices unless what came in was open to the public.
Mayor Hoogenboom agrees maintenance is needed, but voted against the motion as he felt the wording claiming inaction from previous council, as well as a reference to the loss of the Old Portland Hall is false.
A 2021 report highlighted several issues needing to be addressed by 2030 and since then the list’s grown.
The report estimated repair costs to be around $500,000 and included work on roofing, windows, HVAC, paving, accessibility upgrades, and electrical.
Now the township says the roof is leaking and there’s consistent septic issues.
Story by Grant Deme