WEYBURN – The City of Weyburn has awarded the second portion of upgrades to the Albert Douglas Dam to Alliance Energy for $158,730, following a unanimous decision by council at their July 14 meeting.
Renee Cugnet, director of engineering, said that only one bid was received for the electrical work on the stoplog upgrades. When asked by Coun. John Corrigan about the lack of bids and whether the project was specialized, Cugnet said that the work is “quite common” electrical work.
“I’m not totally certain why we only received one,” she said. “It could have been just late in the construction season.”
Mayor Jeff Richards pointed to a broader trend affecting municipalities across the province.
“We have less and less contractors and more and more work needing to be done,” he said. “So, I think that is indicative of some of the struggles that we're having.”
Coun. Laura Morrissette asked for clarification on whether the city remained within the $800,000 budget previously allocated for the dam upgrades. Cugnet confirmed that the electrical work, which includes supply and installation of a new electrical pedestal, lighting, receptacles, trenching, and a surveillance system, is the second phase of the project and falls within the approved budget.
The first phase, fabrication, supply and installation of new steel stop logs, was awarded earlier to DMS Industrial Constructors Inc. for $552,089, including PST.
Coun. Todd Bedore asked about the nature of the surveillance system, if it involved video monitoring. Cugnet said that the cameras would be installed to monitor the spillway, dam, electrical panel, controls, and transformer box.
“It’d be basically like your security cameras,” she said.
Bedore, who has worked in the area, said the upgrades are important.
“I think this is very important also for infrastructure, but also safety for our staff and people around that area.”
Constructed in 1984, the Albert Douglas Dam at Nickle Lake provides a reliable water reservoir for Weyburn while also expanding recreational opportunities at the lake. Water from the reservoir is pumped to the city’s Water Treatment Plan before distribution. Nickle Lake remains a popular destination for swimming, boating, fishing, and other water activities.
