Sylvan Lake’s problem-plagued beachfront washroom project has run into more delays.
All work was halted last month on the $1.4-million project to construct two new washroom buildings when the parent company of the firm contracted to do the work sought protection from creditors.
Envision Engineering and Contracting Inc. was granted 30 days protection from creditors by an Ontario court on Dec. 14. The Ottawa-based company is the parent company of Calgary’s Western Construction and Combustion Service Inc., which has the contract to build the washrooms.
The protection has been extended until Feb. 1, said Ron Lebsack, the town’s director of recreation, parks and culture.
“What it means for us right now is it’s absolutely on hold. We can’t do anything until we get this straightened out,” Lebsack said.
The legal delay means the washrooms won’t be ready, as hoped, for the town’s annual WinterFest, which includes its ever-popular Polar Dip, set for Feb. 19.
Once the Feb. 1 deadline passes, the town will look to steer the project to completion itself.
“The best case scenario for us is the bonding company would take it over. Then we could act as the general contractor on the project and get the sub-trades to finish.”
The washrooms are close to 80 per cent done and will require four to six weeks to complete. Lebsack said the washrooms should be open for spring.
Upgrading the beach washrooms has been on town wishlists for years.
Originally, they were supposed to have been ready by May 1, 2010, in time for the summer tourist season.
Poor weather and problems with sub-contractors were blamed by the builder for a series of construction delays. The opening date was pushed back to Sept. 1, but they were still not ready.
The project is about $200,000 over budget and that will be covered by funds from town reserves.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com