MONTAGUE — Four tenders to build a proposed wellness centre here
are almost $2 million higher than anticipated costs and have
raised concerns about the next step of the project.
“It’s a bit disappointing,’’ said committee chairman Merrill
Scott.
“It’s much higher than we expected and we’ll have to figure out
ways to make cuts or consider other options.’’
Scott said tender bids, opened late Wednesday, all noted that
steel products and oil-based products were much higher.
Tenders included Fitzgerald and Snow at $7,010,850, APM MacLean
$6,791,707, Palmerleau Inc. at $7,087,358 and Southern Kings
Construction at $6,897,786.
“We would consider trimming some of the frills but we’re talking
about a pretty basic centre with not many extras,’’ said Scott.
The wellness centre committee will meet with architects Coles
Associates next week to determine if there is some way to cut
expenses and continue the project. A community canvass is
currently underway to raise about $700,000 as a community share,
but that was based on a wellness centre project valued at just
over $5 million. The project is cost- shared by the three levels
of government.
