Williams Lake city council gave the go ahead for work on an energy upgrade at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) at their March 18 meeting.
City council voted unanimously to approve awarding the energy efficiency upgrade project to Fraser Valley Refrigeration Ltd. for $1,242,289.
Staff submitted a report offering the recommendation to accept the tender by Fraser Valley after receiving two bids for the work on the installation of an energy recovery project.
The project also includes a new air handling unit, a make up air unit, a new ammonia plant control system and a new snow melt pit heat exchanger.
City staff had applied for a grant three years ago and the project was then put out to tender and posted on BCBid and the city received two proposals to complete the project, both of which staff said satisfied the requirements.
In light of a new directive from council for staff to hold off on large capital purchases and projects to avoid the purchase of U.S. goods and services, council discussed the need to follow through on bids received based on processes initiated before the directive from council.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor voiced his support for the project especially given it is mostly being funded through grants.
Coun. Scott Nelson said the project will be a big investment in the community and has been three years in the making.
"This is a huge initiative and I think it's going to have huge benefits in the long term," said Nelson.
“It’s a big step forward in climate action for our community,” said Coun. Michael Moses, noting his enthusiasm for the project.
Council in attendance voted unanimously in support of approving staff's recommendation to award the project.
Coun. Joan Flaspohler was not at the meeting.
The upgrades will be funded through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) British Columbia ‘Clean BC Communities Fund’, Fortis BC Custom Efficiency Program incentive funding and a contingency fund allocated in the Cariboo Regional District capital plan.
While the complex is a Cariboo Regional District (CRD) asset, the city manages and maintains the building in partnership with the CRD.
