The Council of Zorra Township has voted "yes" to the construction of a new municipal office and childcare facility on Brock Street in Thamesford.
The price tag of the multipurpose space is estimated at $6.5 million.
"Council remains focused on life-cycle costing for all municipal projects," Mayor Marcus Ryan said of the cost. "The Zorra Municipal and Child Care Centre life-cycle costs over the course of 30 years will be less than that of the costs for the existing Municipal Office."
Ryan said that the current building requires "substantial renovations" and will need to address accessibility deficiencies, which will be expensive.
At least $3 million of the funding for the construction will be covered by profits from land sales in the area. Councillors Ron Forbes and Steve MacDonald both commented that "the sale of the former Thamesford Fire Station and the future sale of the existing Municipal Office will minimize debt loading and will benefit existing and future taxpayers."
On top of the office space the project is expected to provide 88 childcare spaces, which are sorely needed in the area.
"I receive multiple calls a week from area parents seeking childcare in Thamesford." Ward 2 Councillor Katie Grigg noted. "To me, the childcare component of this project was the primary factor in deciding to proceed. Young working parents struggling to find childcare will now be able have this provided in our community and all of Zorra benefits from this."
The building will be heated and cooled using renewable energy and will have a rooftop solar component. The green energy component is in line with the Township's commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040.
The 11-month construction project is set to begin in November.
