Tendering for the construction of the Nanoose Bay Fire Hall is complete and all bids were higher than the budget estimate.
The board approved borrowing up to $3.2 million for the work in conjunction with work done to the Nanoose Bay Water Treatment Plant.
Now approaching the projects separately, as a lower price was determined to be obtained this way, the lowest bidder still exceeded the budget estimate by $271,746, including a contingency estimate.
Discussions to reduce the project scope in order to complete it have been held with the lowest bidder, Johnston Davidson Architecture + Planning, as well as representatives from the fire hall.
“We should be able to reduce some nonessential items from the project or phase some elements of the project in over time to be able to bring the project down without compromising it from proceeding,” said Carol Mason, Chief Administrative Officer at the RDN.
Nanoose Bay Fire Department Volunteers have also expressed a willingness to carry out some of the work.
Motions passed to reject all construction tenders and staff and project consultants have been directed to approach the lowest bidder for further negotiations to complete the project.
