Council approved an additional $2.64 million plus contingencies to award the trail’s final construction contract, bringing Stouffville’s capital obligation to $4.14 million or 50% of the now $8.22 million project.
Due to already awarded design and refrigeration contracts, Council had to consider a maximum of ~$3 million in losses had they not moved forward with the project.
Bullet Point News repeatedly approached Town Staff asking for an estimate of actual losses had those already awarded contacts been cancelled, however no assessment was provided.
Councillor Sue Sherban opposed the added expenditure, expressing shock over the inflated contract and upwards of $400,000 in annual operating costs for a facility operating just a few months each year.
Sherban believes the long terms costs are too great and that it was worth accepting any contract-related losses. “We should have had a much better picture of what we were getting into,” she told Bullet Point News.
Sherban also believes it was “irresponsible” to not utilize an optional 90 day signing period to ensure external funding sources were available before approving the construction contract.
Originally having a $5.577 million budget, the remaining costs are funded by a $4.09 million Federal and Provincial grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
Stouffville has requested additional support from ICIP, and appeals are being made to Federal and Provincial officials.
“We’re looking at possible solutions regarding funding options,” Minister Helena Jaczek told Bullet Point News. She has already discussed the issue with Mayor Lovatt and reaffirmed her commitment to the project, calling it “a huge asset for the community for years to come.”
MPP Paul Calandra has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
