A delayed affordable housing project in Sarnia is on track to be completed this year; however, the occupancy date has been pushed back by a few months due to "deficiencies" discovered with the modules.
The modular build at 993 Maxwell St. began in 2021.
At the beginning of 2025, county staff anticipated a spring occupancy date but now, they're expecting a fall completion date.
"The delay in the occupancy was related to additional deficiencies that were found in the modules from the previous contractor that is no longer on the project. Those deficiencies that were identified required additional remediation work as well as additional building approvals to complete those," said Manager of Housing Services Melisa Johnson. "But as of right now, all of the approvals have been received and work is proceeding on the deficiencies."
Johnson said the deficiencies varied and included plumbing, electrical, and fire rating insulations for different items such as the doors and windows.
"The deficiencies weren't necessarily narrowed down to one specific item but there was a range of deficiencies," she said.
In 2024, the county parted ways with BECC Construction Inc. and hired Husky General Contracting Ltd. to finish the project.
At this time, Johnson said most of the outside work is done, with the exception of some balcony work.
"They're waiting on some steel for the balcony and then they'll look at finishing off the outside," she said. "Work inside is progressing as well with drywall finishes, flooring, stuff like that."
Initially, the expansion project (of 24 additional housing units for seniors) was expected to be completed in 2022. Aside from the recent module deficiencies and contractor change, the project encountered foundation issues and delays with the module construction.
Despite the multiple challenges, Johnson said it has not impacted other projects.
"We're moving forward on the Kathleen [Avenue] project, so our experiences and challenges on Maxwell have not influenced that project," she said. "We are in the early stages of predevelopment on a project on Cathcart Boulevard. We are considering other technologies in terms of the construction, so whether it is traditional construction or a type of modular construction. We are maybe a little bit guarded in terms of that type of modular construction that we did at Maxwell but we're not closed off to all of the possibilities that are out there in the industry right now."
Johnson said due to the challenges experienced, the anticipated total project cost is just over $11 million.
"Of the additional costs beyond the initial $7 million previously reported, only $1.7 million will be funded locally through debt financing as reported in September 2024, with the remaining amount covered through external funding sources," said Johnson in a follow up email.
Johnson plans to present a detailed project update to council in the early fall.
In the meantime, Johnson said the three-storey complex on Kathleen Avenue has an anticipated occupancy date set for the fall of 2026.
