A recommendation looking to defer the Harbour Fuel Project until 2022 has been approved by Meaford Council.
A council report notes in Nov. 2020, staff received word Richardson Boats Limited, which has provided all fueling services in the marina since the harbour was established, will no longer be providing these services as of after July 31.
In response, staff approached Greenland Consultants to prepare specifications and final designs to assume the role of this service, with the project aimed for completion no later than June 30, leaving no interruption to marina services in providing both gas and diesel for all boating customers.
Intended to be a seasonal service, the program coincides with the regular operations of the marina, running from May to Oct.
The report says in March, the municipality received six competitive bids for the tender of the project, but found even the lowest bid was 230 per cent over the 2021 capital budget.
In addition to the inflated costs, all construction materials needed had to be shipped from the United States. As the boarder is currently closed, the materials were going to be delayed for a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks.
To solve the issue, staff have been looking at several temporary fuel services for 2021, but based on bid pricing, the recommendation is the commencement of the project to be deferred to next year and staff continue to investigate any temporary fueling services for the remainder of the 2021 season.
The initial budget for the harbour fuel systems project was set at $143,000 for the equipment and construction, with a budget of $25,000 allocated for the engineering portion, both funded through the 2021 tax levy.
Several consultations have been conducted to prepare for the new fuel system design and approvals, with more set for the 2021 season to secure a temporary fuel service.
Counc. Ross Kentner asked about how the temporary fuel source would operate and Meaford Manager, Parks and Facilities Rod Willis says upon receiving the tender they have been looking into temporary fuel sources like bringing fuel trucks down on certain days within a specific time on site.
“We have looked at putting in temporary tanks just for seasonal service. There are harbours around that have temporary services available, but they are not for retail, that is the problem, so we have been looking at a number of temporary services for that,” says Willis
Willis says they have been working with Richardson Boats to identify temporary fuel sources and Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus asked if this means there is a possibility for the company to have an extension. Willis notes this is possible.
“There still is a possibility that Richardson is able to provide a temporary service,” says Willis.
He notes he should know more by the end of the week.
