It appears municipal facilities and buildings in Chatham-Kent will soon be getting a checkup to assess the state of their condition.
Councillors will be asked to approve $441,000 for consulting services to assess building conditions, such as structure and systems, across the municipality.
A report by the Coordinator of Building Compliance Samuel Nwaogu said 108 buildings and facilities, such as fire stations, pools, arenas, and various other community buildings will be assessed, adding this will be the first time most of the municipal facilities will be assessed.
Nwaogu noted the assessments will support the development of Chatham-Kent's Asset Management Plan and provide long-term capital spending forecasts that will be used to plan regular maintenance, accessibility upgrades, and inform Council and staff’s decision-making.
"This evaluation intends to assist the building's owners and other stakeholders assess liabilities, understand short-term and long-term capital requirements, and to provide information necessary for organizations to conduct informed strategic planning," said Nwaogu.
He also said the results of the assessments will inform the upcoming update of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan that is expected to begin later this year.
The building and facilities assessments will start next month and are anticipated to be completed by June 2024.
"Building Condition Assessments not only support plans for major capital facility repairs, but they allow for early identification of any potential issues a facility may have, providing an opportunity to fix these issues before they become large problems," Nwaogu said. "This in turn creates a facility stock that is safe and appropriate for all the community’s members.
The funds will come from the Building Lifecycle Reserve, according to Nwaogu.
