Victoria Square to get gazebo

Cramahe Council has approved the construction of a gazebo in Victoria Square.

At its April 7 meeting the township's Director of Community Services, Dan O'Brien was appointed as project manager for construction of a commemorative gazebo to be located in Victoria Park in consultation with the 150th Anniversary Committee. Additionally, efforts to have this project in place for the anniversary celebration were requested.

The Community Services Department gathered quotes for the project, consulted with the 150th Anniversary Committee, reached a consensus on most desired location, style and critical path for installation.

Quotes for the approved design gazebo were gathered and presented to Council on Maya 5. They ranged from $23,450.00 to $19,022.00, installed.
1. The low bidder is Countryside Gazebos Canada Ltd. at $19,022.00
2. The base for this structure will be contracted separately at a cost of $2,100.00
3. Electrical services will be contracted separately at a coat of $650.00.
4. Landscaping and design around the gazebo will be contracted separately at a cost of $15,000.00.
Total cost of project $36,772.00.

Given the abbreviated time frame for this project,, on May 5 the Community Services Department proposed the following critical path.

June 1 - gazebo base construction awarded to contractor and work to begin.
June 15 - gazebo installation to begin, completed by June 19.
June 22 - Electrical services contract awarded with installation to begin completed by June 25.
June 29 Landscape design in place and work to begin, complete July 17.

In the May 5 report to council Mr. O'Brien's report stated:

"The gazebo will, by the nature of its size, become a focal point for public celebrations and gatherings in Victoria Park, therefore the Community Services Department recommends that a portion of the landscaping allocation be utilized to engage a landscape architect for design of the accompanying gazebo site in an effort to ensure that an overall concept is produced that has the endorsement of council and interested stakeholders.

This design would assist in shaping the revitalization of Victoria Square This cost would be 10% of the landscape allocation."

Councillor Pat Westrope and Mr. O’Brien will look at the gazebo prior to actually purchasing it.

There have been discussions for many years around the erection of a gazebo in the square. Money was set aside by a previous council but there was opposition in the past from heritage representatives who asserted that, historically, there had not been a gazebo in the park.