Introduction
The Township is developing a new multi-department Operations Centre in Fergus using a phased project approach. This will enable the Township to continue to effectively deliver services to meet the increasing needs of our growing community. The Operations Centre will be located on the newly acquired 20-acre parcel of land at 965 Gartshore Street, Fergus as illustrated on the map below. The Operations Centre will be built in 2 Phases.
Phase 1 of the facility will include building the exterior works yard and outdoor operations areas, the garage buildings including heated and unheated storage bays, workshop space, maintenance bays, 2 greenhouses and constructing the full office areas to accommodate space needs for the next 20 years.
Phase 2 of the facility includes additions to the heated and unheated garage areas, a salt storage and brine mixing facility with indoor loading and 2 additional greenhouses.
The new Operations Centre would include space for staff, vehicles, and equipment for the following departments:
- Public Works
- Water Services
- Engineering
- Planning and Development
- Source Water Protection
- Parks and Recreation
- Forestry
- Information Technology
- Archives and Records Storage
Map showing the 965 Gartshore St., Fergus site location:
Site Development Study
Through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Township hired RDH Architects Inc. to complete the Site Development Study. This included the various survey’s, studies and reports required to support the construction of the Operations Centre. Through this process, the property was rezoned from Agricultural to Institutional to allow for the construction of the Operations Centre. As well, a conceptual design of the facility was completed which is included below. A copy of the Site Development Study report is attached.
Design Builder
An RFP was issued in March 2024 and closed in May 2024 to hire the Design Builder to complete the design phase of the project. This RFP was awarded to Ball Construction Ltd. from Kitchener, Ontario.
Operations Centre Site Development
Tree removals commenced on site in March 2025, with a total of 125 trees removed. Of these, 40% were classified as being in fair to poor condition. Tree replacements will be undertaken at a ratio of 2:1 throughout the construction project, resulting in 250 replacement trees being planted. A reforestation area has been designated on site next to the stormwater management pond, where Township staff, with the assistance of local community groups, will organise a community tree planting event once the new facility has been occupied in spring 2027. All other landscaped areas and tree plantings across the site will be included in the construction contract. Please consult the approved Landscape plan in the document library.
In early May 2025, the demolition of the barns and outbuildings was completed, with most materials being repurposed or recycled. Selected materials are being salvaged for incorporation into the project.
The detailed design phase commenced in summer 2024 and concluded in April 2025, leading into the tendering phase. Construction tendering was completed by Ball Construction Ltd., which involved a competitive bidding process. The Guaranteed Maximum Price for the construction of the project, prepared by Ball Construction Ltd., is $25.7 million. This sum encompasses all costs associated with project management, construction, furnishing, and commissioning the new Operations Centre. In December 2024, a Class C construction estimate of $34.5 million was presented to Council. A Class C estimate is defined as having an accuracy of 15% to 20%. In addition to this accuracy range, the difference in cost between the Class C estimate and the Guaranteed Maximum Price is attributed to substantial interest and competitive pricing from subcontractors, as well as value engineering and savings opportunities realised through the design process.
In addition to the Guaranteed Maximum Price, there are other external costs necessary to complete the facility, which include:
Taking external costs into account and adding non-rebatable HST (1.76% of eligible expenses), the Overall Construction Budget for the new Operations Centre amounts to $28.2 million.
A copy of the Council report, which includes the recommendation to proceed with construction, can be found under the document library.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 16, 2025, marking the start of construction. Substantial completion is expected by Fall 2026.
