By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the completion of Chatham-Kent’s transitional cabin complex is delayed.
C-K council learned that the site on Park Street is serviced and ready to go, but the municipality is still waiting for the delivery of half of the 50 tiny cabins.
According to Jodi Guilmette, Chatham-Kent’s health and human services general manager, the original contractor was unable to fulfill the contract and the work has gone to A1 Group Ltd., the Chatham company that was the next-highest bidder.
“There were a few different challenges that compounded the problem,” Guilmette told council, noting cold winter weather also played a role.
She said C-K received information in April the cabins wouldn’t be arriving on time.
“That was the problem we were facing,” she said. As a result, council was asked to approve an extension of the contract with the owners of the Victoria Park Place shelter to Aug. 20.
Guilmette said work at the Park Street site is progressing, noting A1 Group is assembling the cabins that have arrived from European supplier Rikostav Modular in a local warehouse. Workers have also been busy on site building the modular community building and the separate washroom facility.
According to an administrative report, funding for the shelter extension, as well as additional operating costs posed by the delay won’t increase taxes as these costs will be paid for through the existing VPP and Homeless Prevention Program budget.
The extension of the lease agreement and maintaining operations and staffing will cost close to $300,000, with $36,000 going for the lease and the remainder to staffing and operations. Any shortfall will be covered by the provincial homeless prevention funding.
The cabins are being built to replace the temporary VPP shelter located on Murray Street in Chatham.
South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci said getting an extension so close to the expiry date was “somewhat concerning,” wishing council would have had more of a heads up.
Guilmette apologized for the short notice, saying staff got the information out as quickly as they could.
The remaining 25 cabins are expected before month’s end, with final completion set for the end of July.
