The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg might soon have new digs.
At a meeting today, councillors voted to move forward with the design stage of a new building after first considering renovating their 46-year-old building.
Council had been weighing the idea of renovating the building or starting fresh.
Aging HVAC systems, security worries, and problems with accessibility, have all been cited as reasons.
The cost of construction is estimated to be $7.2 million, however the municipality will attempt to sell their current building, which could offset those costs.
Renovations were estimated at $8.3 million.
Alex Dumaresq, assistant CAO of the municipality, says money has been put in a reserve for years for either purpose.
“Every year council sets aside a chunk of money in reserves because they anticipate they’ll have to replace capital assets, including this building, including waste water treatment, including rec facilities.”
Dumaresq says that fund sits at around $14 million right now.
Council also looked at the placement of the current office as reason to go with a new building.
The building is located within Bridgewater town limits.
The new office and council chambers will be built on municipal land in Osprey Village – an area just beyond Centre scolaire de la Rive-Sud, the Acadian school.
Catalyst Consulting is in charge of project management and will oversee the call for design proposals.
Dumaresq says the designs will be discussed in open council and the public will get a chance to see the plans.
“We’re an open municipal government and there will be more opportunities for public engagement as we move along through the process.”
He expects the process to start in the next couple months.
