County councillors approve tapping DCs for station overruns

New Tecumseth Free Press Online 

Simcoe County council on Monday approved a bigger draw from development charges and reserve account to fund the estimated $794,000 additional costs to build new paramedic stations in Alliston and Beeton as scheduled in 2015.

However, because the recommendation is related to the 2015 budget, it will be up to the incoming 32 member County council – of which 17 are newly elected mayors and deputy mayors – to give it final approval, “but is now recommended to be included,” said mayor Mike MacEachern, who moved the recommendation, seconded by Adjala Tosorontio deputy mayor Mary Small Brett. “Both facilities are important in achieving response times in our communities.”

As reported here first last week, Andrew Robert, Director and Chief, Paramedic Services, in his Nov. 10th report to County council, linked most of the $794,000 increase to site issues on Industrial Parkway in Alliston – a 1.58 acre former farm parcel the County paid $625,000 to purchase from the Walton Group in November 2013.

“Following the completion of the Alliston station property acquisition, more detailed design and municipal feedback through the site plan approval process determined that a grade issue exists on the site, and that it is necessary to raise the grade. This also requires extending the footings deeper into the ground,” according to Mr. Robert’s report. “Raising of the overall grade had a domino effect, requiring additional site work, including the need for an additional storm water management pond and tie ins to existing adjacent grades, which results in the need for tree protection on adjacent properties. No exceptional site issues have been identified at the Beeton station location.”

Both paramedic stations are going to be larger than initially designed, adding to the cost. Alliston is growing from 5,500 sq. ft to 5,920. Beeton’s new station at 9 Patterson Street will be 3,200 sq. ft instead of 3,000. Total price tag for both is now projected to be $4.76 million.