By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
The Town of Essex will install a new air conditioner and generator at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre.
These upgrades will ensure the facility can be used as an evacuation shelter, should the need ever arise.
During the July 7 meeting, Council for the Town of Essex awarded the supply and install of a generator at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre to Anchor Hydro for $146,784.73, including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax. Of the cost, $97,300 will come from the Green Municipal Grant Funding provided through Federation of Canadian Municipalities for this project.
In the report Director of Community Services, Jake Morassut, prepared for Council on the matter, it highlights that back in 2023 the Town of Essex endured several natural disasters and extreme weather events.
“In response to these events, and to help the residents in our community, the Town opened Emergency Relief Shelters at both the Essex Center Sports Complex and the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre. During one of these events, power was lost to the facilities and the shelters had to be closed.”
After reviewing the situation, Council asked administration to investigate options for the installation of back-up generators at the Town’s arena facilities.
Upon looking into the matter, Morassut noted the cost to connect the entire facility to the generator was extremely high. Administration worked with electrical contractors and engineers to develop a design that will power the essential portions of the facility if the Emergency Relief Shelters were opened.
“This greatly reduced the financial cost of the project,” he outlined.
Anchor Hydro was the lowest compliant bidder, meeting all the technical requirements, of the seven received, the report adds. As this capital project falls within the approved budget of $160,780.80, there is no financial impact.
“Sounds like a great project,” Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said, asking administration to look into how to send a letter of thanks to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for the financial contribution.
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