Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors unanimously voted to award a contract worth up to $524,540 to a local construction company to restore Granthams Hall in West Howe Sound, and staff expect “substantial completion” of the project by the end of 2019.
“The community continues to be in full support of the rehabilitation of Granthams Hall,” said West Howe Sound director Mark Hiltz, before walking the board through the history of the hall and its relationship to the SCRD.
The 88-year-old hall has “stood the test of time and location, survived the change of the community, and it is the heart of that community and part of the soul of the regional district,” Hiltz said.
Former West Howe Sound director Ian Winn was also present at the meeting. “It’s good to see it move forward, thank you,” said Winn after the vote. Hiltz thanked Winn for his work on the file.
Hiltz called the funding approach, which includes a combination of short-term borrowing, community benefit funds from Independent Power Projects and gas taxes, “balanced.” The SCRD is also waiting on the results of a federal grant application. The cost of the project rose by more than $150,000 since the last estimate was made in 2018.
Among the needed upgrades are a new roof and foundation, levelling floors, wheelchair accessible ramp and washroom, electrical, parking and septic system upgrades. Three bids were made on the project and Summerhill Fine Homes was awarded the contract.
Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize, who has a business relationship with Summerhill Fine Homes, recused himself from the vote. The board was expected to endorse the committee vote on April 25, after Coast Reporter’s print deadline.
