Contract awarded to begin site preparation work at new southside water treatment plant
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com
Published Tuesday August 14th, 2007
Appeared on page A5
Charmac Construction Co. Ltd. was the low bidder to win a contract to do the site preparation work and build a base for a new water treatment plant on Waterloo Row.
The former Waterloo Row Esso will be replaced by a city-owned facility to treat water pumped out of three new well fields in the city's downtown east end.
Charmac's $316,069 contract will have the company build a sub-base for the driveway and walking area, install fill to create the proper grade for the building foundation, preliminary landscaping and hydro-seeding.
It has to finish its work before the end of September.
Coun. Cathy MacLaggan, who represents the area where the plant will be located, has been working with her constituents to ensure the 1,130-square-metre facility designed by ADI Ltd. of Fredericton meets appropriate heritage-design standards.
During public information sessions about the project, Fredericton Heritage Trust voiced concerns about the building's design, as did neighbours living nearby.
The site is within the city's St. Anne's Point Heritage Preservation Area.
MacLaggan said the city's heritage preservation review board is asking for a number of cosmetic changes to the original plan, including a visual reduction to part of the roof, changes to some windows and approval of the building's sign.
"At the board review, the design was substantially improved," MacLaggan said. "I think people will be very favourably impressed with the design of the building."
The board has given tentative approval to allow site work to proceed, while architects draft the recommended design alterations.
"We are working on the specifications for the new building and we hope to award a tender for the construction of the building by the
middle of September," MacLaggan said.
"With this contract, we are moving another step closer to making this new water treatment plant a reality. This major capital project is coming together nicely," said Coun. Tony Whalen, chairman of the city's public safety and environment committee.
The city's engineering and public works department undertook the demolition and renovation of the old service station.
Council has awarded a contract worth $802,687 to California firm Pureflow Filtration Division to supply the filters and related equipment for the proposed plant.
More tenders will be called later this month for mechanical and electrical equipment.
The city has budgeted $2 million for the project.
Fredericton's water supply is derived entirely from drilled wells, but high levels of manganese and iron have to be removed and the water chlorinated before it is mixed into the rest of the city's drinking water supply.
The water supply is treated at the Smythe Street water treatment plant.
Record construction in Fredericton has pushed up demand for drinking water in the capital city.