Written By David Gomez
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX - A new lunchroom, office and washrooms are among the improvements planned for the Glencoe Operations Centre after council approved a $431,700 construction contract during its October 21 meeting.
The project was one of four staff recommendations approved by council, alongside a countywide community safety plan and two municipal drainage matters.
Public Works Manager Mauro Castrilli reported that ten bids had been received for the operations centre improvements, with four disqualified for incomplete documentation. Tonda Construction Limited submitted the lowest compliant bid at $431,700, excluding HST, below the approved 2026 capital budget of $570,250.
Asked by Councillor Martin Vink what the project would involve, Castrilli explained, “It’s just an addition on the one side of the building, which will have a lunchroom slash training room, an office, and two new washrooms.”
The addition will measure approximately 900 square feet. Castrilli said construction could begin before the end of the year, depending on weather conditions and the completion of contract arrangements. Council approved the tender unanimously.
Earlier, councillors unanimously adopted the Middlesex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for 2026–2031, following its approval by Middlesex County Council on October 13.
The plan establishes six priorities: housing and homelessness, child and family well-being, access to services and transportation, economic well-being, mental health and addictions, and violence prevention.
CAO Amanda Gubbels explained that the initiative involves all eight Middlesex County municipalities and community partners. She noted that approval does not create new municipal spending commitments, with any future proposals requiring additional resources returning to council separately.
During the discussion, Deputy Mayor Mike Sholdice raised an accessibility concern involving the new washroom at Simpson Street Park in Glencoe.
“I was contacted from somebody in a wheelchair in Glencoe about the Simpson Street new bathroom, and they wondered if it could be made wheelchair accessible with something automatic to open the door,” Sholdice said.
Gubbels confirmed the suggestion would be recorded for future council consideration.
Two drainage matters also received approval. Council appointed Spriet Associates Engineers & Architects to investigate a proposed extension of the Nemcek Drain at Concession 11, Lot 4, in the former Mosa Township, where surface-water runoff has caused erosion affecting agricultural land.
Drainage Superintendent Andrew Neely said the appointment follows a petition accepted at the previous council meeting. The engineer will prepare a report under the Drainage Act before construction can proceed.
For the Wardsville Outlet Drain No. 1, council unanimously awarded a $198,143 contract, excluding HST, to Cassidy Construction London Ltd. The bid was below the engineer’s $204,490 estimate.
Deputy Mayor Sholdice asked about the contractor’s experience.
Neely said he had not worked with Cassidy previously but understood that Spriet Associates had and “they have confidence in them.”
