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Town staff prepare for move to temporary offices

The potential to extend the life of Ponoka Town Hall appears slim to none after an air quality report shows unsafe working conditions.

The potential to extend the life of Ponoka Town Hall appears slim to none after an air quality report shows unsafe working conditions.

At the request of town council, administration released the report to the public Tuesday, June 11 during its regular meeting. CAO Rachel Kunz explained to council her goal was to get a concrete set of details on the state of the building and present it to councillors with a recommendation for a course of action.

An air quality assessment and site inspection of the building was undertaken by an Edmonton company called RH Services on May 5 after staff complaints over odors in the building.

The inspection covered six areas: indoor air quality and comfort parameters, lighting, mould, ventilation, asbestos and sewage and storm water lift stations in the basement.

“The one thing that we don’t know is what is the life expectancy of that building,” explained Kunz of the assessment., “…and how many years does it have left and what type of maintenance has to be done.”

Space for employees to work is another consideration for Kunz, who suggested if the town expands, there may not be room for everyone with the current building.

Results of the air quality assessment

The 21-page report shows inspections in several areas of Town Hall with major issues in the basement. Among them, mould, wood rot fungus and asbestos were found.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels higher than acceptable ranges (up to 800 ppm are considered acceptable) were found in the finance office on the main floor and on the second floor in the mayor’s office when the roof HVAC fans were turned off.

When the fans were turned on, the report states, the CO2 levels ranged from 540 to 630 ppm.

Lighting is also an issue as well as proper ventilation at all departments. Another challenge for staff is a sewage odor; there are lift stations for sewage and storm water in the basement of the building.

The real issue appears to be the presence of asbestos in the basement in mechanical insulations, ceiling texture above the suspended ceiling in the finance offices. RH Services stated in the report that issue should be dealt with immediately.

Estimated costs of dealing with the issues, except the asbestos and ventilation fixes, are $42,500.

However, the cost to remove the asbestos adds to that estimate, said Kunz.

Allnorth Consultants estimated that dealing with the identified asbestos areas, the mould and relocating the basement lift station could cost $400,000. She says removing all the asbestos in Town Hall could cost upwards of $1 million.

What has happened since the report was received?

Since the town received the report, the upstairs area was blocked off for use. The CAO and administrative assistant moved their offices to the town shop and the basement was blocked off for the public.

Staff meetings are held in different offices around town and town council meetings are held at the Hudson Green Nature and Activity Centre.

Staff are preparing to move in the fall to a possible long-term temporary space until a solution can be found. No decisions have been made but planners will have to look at a space large enough to house employees and equipment and town planners will also have to consider a plan of what to do with the building.

Council wants out

“There’s an old analogy,” stated Mayor Rick Bonnett, “that when the horse is dead, dismount.”

Administration requested that council approve the commissioning of a full report and analysis for all possibilities for Town Hall but councillors did not feel it is worth the extra money.

“Are we throwing good money after bad?” asked Coun. Teri Underhill.

She suggests the building has already approached the end of its life and any more money to improve it would be a waste. “I think it’s beyond redemption.”

Coun. Sandra Lyon asked if there is enough space in the building with current staffing needs. Her concern was that spending any more money on the building when the space is already full could be a waste of money.

Bonnett added that the roof repairs, planned for this year, will find unexpected issues with the building.

Before taking a vote on the administration’s request, council introduced amendments to the document agreeing to look at options for the building or a new Town Hall plan, but turning down any option for repairs to the current building. Coun. Tim Falkiner voted against the motion stating he feels the town should have more information on all possibilities, including reparation.