By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg council voted at this week’s committee-of-the-whole to take another kick at the can on specialized repairs to Victoria Hall in hopes of a better price.
The sandstone on the pillars around Victoria Hall’s front door has sustained weather damage over the years and pieces are missing around the front entrance doors.
A staff report from treasurer Ian Davey recommended the project be retendered next year, as all bids received exceeded the $85,000 budgeted figure.
Qualified bids received ranged from $268,500 to $348,500.
Councillor Nicole Beatty worried about how time-sensitive the repairs are, and wondered if the budgeted amount is just too low.
“I sat in on the actual tender openings, and I had the same questions,” Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin admitted.
Davey held out hope for savings with a subsequent tender if the town issues the call early in the new year – “say February or March,” he suggested.
“We may get a better price, as contractors are looking for work at that time.”