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New Tecumseth, Collingwood, Kenaidan agree on additional water plant tender extension

February 1, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Towns of New Tecumseth and Collingwood continue to work together on the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plant to ensure the needs of both communities are met.

In November 2023, the Town of Collingwood was able to negotiate an extension for the Water Treatment Plan Expansion Project Tender with the lowest bidder, Kenaidan Contracting Ltd.

The extension agreement was put in place to ensure that the bid prices were maintained until Jan. 16, 2024, allowing the two municipalities additional time to vigorously pursue funding options needed for the project. The estimated cost is $270 million.

On Sept. 12, 2023, Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin and New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross issued a joint statement announcing that three bids were received from the pre-qualified contractors.

The unofficial low bid was $212 million for construction alone. The total project costs are now estimated to be in the range of $270 million, and the timeline to complete the project has also been extended by about two years.

The project is essential and urgent for Collingwood, New Tecumseth, and the surrounding area, as it can supply significant additional drinking water to the existing 60 km pipeline. Without the plant expansion, there will be limited ability to collaborate with municipal partners to build new homes and meet provincial housing targets.

Kenaidan has agreed to extend the bid validity for an additional 90 days until Apr. 15, 2024, with the hopes that the municipalities will be financially able to continue the project as tendered.

New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross and Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin met with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development during the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. The need for the Province’s help to fund this project was reiterated so that both communities can continue to grow and meet the Province’s housing targets.

“We are committed to ensuring our community has the services and water it needs today and into the future. New Tecumseth and Collingwood have been and will continue to work collaboratively in seeking solutions and continuing the discussions with the Province as we need financial support to complete the necessary plant expansion,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross.

Both New Tecumseth and Collingwood say they are committed to working collaboratively to ensure water needs are successfully met.

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