Along the cost of the construction of the new Golden Plough Lodge & Northumberland County Archives and Museum reaching $30 million dollars over budget there are also additional costs for the upkeep of the current Golden Plough.
The budget for the facility was initially projected at $115 million, but recently Northumberland County released an update of $145 million which will be funded through a financing arrangement with Infrastructure Ontario as well as a draw from reserves.
The cost includes from initial purchase of the property, planning, design, and approvals, to construction and project administration, legal and financial costs including interest on construction financing, furniture and finishes, demolition of the old GPL, and landscaping and remaining site work.
The current Golden Plough has 151 beds in the facility with the new one to have 180 beds.
The project was started December 2020 with an estimated with a projected completion date of December 2022.
But due to challenges in construction stemming from the pandemic and other facts including skilled labor shortages, high interested rates, supply chain disruptions the occupancy date is set for June 2025.
Between January 2023 and the fall of 2025, the County will have invested $214,720 in maintenance and repairs of the existing facility necessary to ensure the continued comfort and safety of residents and sustainability of operations until the transition to the new facility can be completed. This includes:
Roof repairs $5,522
Window repairs and updates $2,227
Hot water tank replacement $12,913
Heating and cooling systems (HVAC) $174,130
Parking lot repairs $14,167
Compressor replacement $5,761
The County had planned to release a breakdown of costs in conjunction with sharing the updated budget.
However, at the request of the contractor for reasons of commercial sensitivity, this breakdown has been deferred for 60 days. This breakdown will now be shared at the December meeting of the Public Works Committee.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
