City to begin assessment findings

The City of Yorkton is beginning the process to address a number of Occupational Health & Safety issues in City-owned facilities identified by a condition assessment program, following a decision by Council at its regular meeting Monday.

"In 2010, the City of Yorkton hired the services of Associated Engineering to complete a City-wide condition assessment of its facility complement. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive inventory of all city buildings with a condition rating for each. This information would be used to outline future facility related capital projects based on the priority rating established as part of the study," detailed a report circulated to Council.

Trent Mandzuk, Director of Public Works with the City told Council the report was not complete at the time the 2011 budget was finalized.

During 2011 budget deliberations, a list of projects was not available as the building assessment remained to be completed. The only projects acknowledged were repairs to City Hall's entrances and parkade.

Administration requested that $200,000 be put into reserves until a detailed and prioritized outline identifying facility related capital projects became available, he explained.

The work being undertaken this year includes $9,000 for the Kinsmen Arena Humidity Study, and $20,000 for the Second Level Mould Investigation.

The Kinsmen Arena Study "is a second level investigation focusing on performance concerns with regards to humidity issues within the building. The building envelope, heating system and ventilation system have been reviewed in greater detail and recommendations from the study will be presented as part of the 2012 capital budget," detailed the report.

The mould work "is required for additional analysis as per the building assessment recommendations. This will be carried out in all buildings that have potential concern about possible mould issues. These buildings include; Deer Park clubhouse, SPCA, WWTP storage buildings, Kinsmen Arena and possibly the Airport, depending on the objectives of the Airport Authority's long-term development plan."

Mandzuk was quick to add "we're not saying there is mould there," but they are going to take a closer look to know for sure.

The $50,000 spent at City Hall saw $30,000 invested in the parkade to address issues identified in 2010, with $20,000 to repair trip hazards at City Hall entrances.

"The balance of the $150,000 will be used towards repairing remaining items identified by the building assessment. These repairs will be conducted based on the order of priority established by the Facility Assessment," stated the report.

Councillor Ross Fisher said he would prefer to hold the $150,000 in reserve pending development of the 2012 budget. That "would probably be the best order of things," he said.

Mandzuk noted, "the bulk of OHS violations identified by the building assessment focused on two locations, the Exhibition buildings at the Gallagher Centre and operations buildings at the Airport."

The buildings of concern include the terminal building at the airport, and the old dining hall, Industrial Building and the grandstand on the exhibition grounds.

In most cases, the buildings are well past their intended useful life and "require further evaluation to ensure they are structurally sufficient not to endanger life."

The assessment has identified that it is not economical to repair most of these buildings and that they be replaced versus repaired if they are required to stay in operation.

"In the weeks to come, issues at the Gallagher Centre and Airport will be discussed with their respective boards and authorities. An action plan needs to be developed to determine how future operations will be deployed and how building assessment issues will be corrected. Consideration should also be given to establishing a reserve in 2012 to allow for the rehabilitation plans to be initiated," detailed the report.

Coun. Larry Pearen said with a list of issues identified, it made sense to spend the $150,000 now "to start the ball rolling."

Council approved Administration proceeding with funding the repairs to City Hall of $50,000, from $200,000 in facility reserves. The balance of $150,000 in reserves will be used towards repairing remaining items identified in the Associated Engineering building assessment report. These repairs will be conducted based on the order of priority.

Coun. Fisher was opposed.