Powering up
O’Leary council looking to replace old generator
O’Leary Town Council wants to move quickly to replace the engine that powers the town complex during power outages. The old one broke down near the end of a recent power outage.
At the first monthly meeting of the new town council recently, Mayor Eric Gavin said he has obtained prices on a replacement engine form one supplier. Darren MacKinnon, newly appointed finance chair and deputy mayor, stressed the importance of getting more quotes and getting them soon.
The complex, after all, is meant to be available to residents as a warming centre during power outages, he pointed out. Although the complex was available as a warming centre during the recent outage, councillors acknowledge it did not get much use. Chief Administrative Officer Bev Shaw said she was aware of one person visiting to obtain water.
Gavin said the old generator is about 45 years old and it overheated during its last round of service. Replacement of a complete unit, capable of powering the entire complex, he said, would likely cost at least $40,000.
That is why council is hoping to be able to get by with a new engine to power the old generator, but the flywheels will have to line up.
“If it will work, it’s a small investment for our community,” MacKinnon acknowledged.
“We need it for an EMO (Emergency Measures Organization) Centre, which is a concern, especially after a couple weeks ago,” he stressed.
He said council has to work fast to ensure the facility can be powered up the next time there is a power outage.
“When it happens, there’s absolutely no time to scramble anymore, so it’s urgent, I think, that we try to find a solution to this.” Whomever the successful bidder is, MacKinnon suggested the town finance the purchase so as not to tie up a large chunk of municipal funds all at once. As it is replacing an existing unit, he didn’t think government funding would be available to help with the purchase. MacKinnon said due diligence requires the town to get additional prices.