As road construction season gives way to snow clearing season, the town of Fort Frances is busy competing some key tasks – and launching others.
Here’s a snap-shot of the key capital upgrades underway across town:
Recycle Facilities. Building construction continues for a new recycling facility on 6th Ave. Residents have been utilizing a drop-off system since fire destroyed the previous facility in late May. A roof has been placed on the building. Electrical and interior sheeting and exterior cladding will be complete soon. The anticipated return for curbside collection is currently slated for mid-Fall of 2023 and will coincide with the completion of the recycle depot which has a targeted substantial completion date of October 31, 2023.
Sinclair Street. The paving is down and the project is essentially complete, for a newly built road behind the hospital.
Lillie Avenue Reconstruction. Electrical signals installation is nearing completion. Signal supplier will be on- site either the week of October 23rd or October 30th to commission the signals.
Splash Pad. Legion park has been re-opened for play! The playground equipment assembly is now complete. Although the new, self-cleaning, vandal-proof washrooms have been installed beside the splash pad, they require a little extra tinkering by staff before they can be opened to the public. Landscaping around splash pad will continue throughout the fall as weather permits, to get ready for its first full season, in spring.
Seniors Centre Expansion. The new addition is on track for its mid-November completion date. Insulation has been blown in, and drywall mud and sanding are complete. All mechanical and electrical rough-in is also complete. The exterior of the building is currently being completed with new siding. For the interior finishes, paint colours and flooring have been picked out. Painting is underway this week, to be followed by flooring installation.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Standby Generator. Right now, the electrical installation is awaiting terminal blocks for the Auto Transfer Switch to complete installation. Once that work is completed, the Electrical Safety Authority will perform an inspection. Once approved by the ESA, a planned power outage will be taken to switch over to the new electrical service. The new generator will also need to be tied into the plant control system, followed by final commissioning of the generator. Estimated completion is still targeting the first half of November.
Natatorium Rehabilitation. In spring, an engineer inspection unearthed compromised structural members at the Memorial Sports Centre pool, which would make the building unsafe under a snow load. In the interest of public and staff safety, the building will be closed beginning November 6, to begin rehabilitation. The pool may be closed until spring, to complete all planned upgrades, which include crack repair, a new deck and pool liner, seating area, HVAC, lifeguard chairs, and other upgrades. Alternatively, the pool may be able to reopen briefly after the structural work is complete, with the remainder of the work being completed over the summer, if that route is possible and practical; staff has been in negotiations with the contractor to iron out details. Grant funding has been secured towards the upgrades. The building is safe for use with up to small snow accumulations, enabling current lessons to run to completion. The closure will not impact the weight room, change rooms or squash courts; they will be open as usual throughout construction, though minor, temporary disruptions may occur.
