Councillors seeking alternatives on overrun

The cost to build the new cityowned Brock Mission homeless shelter has increased by $3.2 million to $10.7 million — but on Monday, city councillors weren’t prepared to immediately cover the overrun.

City staff had proposed a plan to dip into municipal reserves to cover the additional costs.

But councillors voted 10-1 to put the plans on hold so city staff can speak with staff from Brock Mission and Peterborough Housing Corporation to consider lessexpensive options.

Councillors also voted to have city staff work with Brock Mission staff to ensure there’s a temporary men’s shelter in place in the meantime.

Coun. Dean Pappas proposed the motion.

“We’re spending money not on people but on bricks.… It just seems that this project is getting too big,” he said.

Pappas said he wants more input from citizens and from staff on this project before it goes any further.

“I think we need to put all the options on the table.”

The one vote against the deferral came from Coun. Keith Riel, who said he was deeply

concerned that Peterborough will have no shelter for homeless men if the city doesn’t build as soon as possible.

The old ramshackle Brock Mission building has already been torn down in anticipation of this new building on the same property, he pointed out – and in the meantime, men are being put up temporarily at St. Paul’s Church down the street.

But that church has been sold to a developer who hasn’t said what the plans are for the building – although Riel said the plans are to raze it.

“St. Paul’s is to be demolished,” he said. “We absolutely need a new building.”

The proposed new Brock Mission was designed to include 30 beds for homeless men, plus 15 small rental rooms (for men to occupy as they search for permanent housing).

City staff attributes the cost increase to a spike in the rising price of both labour and building materials.

It was too much for Coun. Dan McWilliams.

“From $7 million to $10 million – it just doesn’t jibe,” he said. “The deferral is right – the expenses are out of control.”

Coun. Henry Clarke also said it’s important to review the costs because the overrun is nearly 50 per cent.

Coun. Diane Therrien also said she wanted the project reviewed.

“The cost is getting quite high – it’s nearly $248,000 for each bed,” she said. “There could be other ways to do it, in a more cost-effective manner.”

The city has partnered with two other organizations to build the shelter: Peterborough Housing Corporation (a social housing provider) and Brock Mission (a Christian charity).

To pay its share, Brock Mission is fundraising $1 million and also plans to take out a mortgage when the building’s done. It also has $1.5 million in grants.

Coun. Lesley Parnell voted to go along with the deferral because there are many unanswered questions about the project that must be put to staff.

“But I want to be very positive,” she said, adding there’s no question there’s going to be a new shelter. “This is just a temporary delay – and we will be building this facility.”