You will find in this section, reports, plans and a FAQ on the new Municipal Hall in Casselman
You will find in this section, reports, plans and a FAQ on the new Municipal Hall in Casselman
The Municipality of Casselman is launching a call for tenders to hire a contractor to repair water infiltration issues at 1, Industriel.
The municipality acquired the building in July 2022 for $2.2 million for the intended purpose of relocating its town hall.
Read the press release here
Reports, analysis and call for tenders
To see the call for tenders to repair the water infiltration problem, see here https://www.casselman.ca/en/call-for-tenders
Modernization of Municipal Hall
The Municipality is launching a call for tenders to hire a contractor to repair water infiltration issues at 1 Industriel. The problem is relatively complex and technical. According to the engineering report commissioned by the Municipality, the water infiltration issues primarily stems from two failures: (1) a discontinuity in the air and moisture barrier at the wall-window and wall-door transitions, lacking continuous seals or barriers to prevent infiltration during heavy rain, and (2) the absence of a through-wall flashing at the window/door heads, allowing rainwater to infiltrate behind the cladding and pass through the non-sealed transitions. These deficiencies compromise the continuity of the air/moisture barrier and fail to effectively redirect water to the exterior.
In simpler terms, there are defects in the “building envelope”. The windows and doors are not properly sealed against the walls, which permits air and water to enter the building during heavy rains. This can damage the interior walls of the building. Trial leakage repairs have been performed, and the scope of work necessary to repair the building has been prepared.
The Municipality exercised reasonable due diligence before purchasing the property. The value of the property was assessed by two reputable real estate firms. An engineering firm was retained to complete a building condition survey report, to review the current condition of the building and site surface features. A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was also commissioned to assess the environmental condition of the lands, going beyond the minimum requirements. All steps were taken with rigor to ensure that the purchase was a reasonable investment for the new town hall project.
The building condition survey report was completed based on a visual inspection of the building and the site. No cutting, coring, design review, quantity survey, destructive testing, or instrumental testing was carried out. The building condition survey report did not identify any water infiltration issues related to the walls, windows, or the condition of the roof. The report recommended routine maintenance activities and did not identify any major capital expenditures likely to be required in the short term (5 years).
After purchase, once the water infiltration issue was reported to the municipality, it retained a different engineering firm to assess the cause of the issue. These investigations were more extensive than those conducted in the due diligence period before purchase, including requiring drywall cuttings and deconstructive testing of windows.
No. The Municipality’s insurance coverage does not extend to workmanship-related damages, or repairs required to correct deficiencies with the envelope of the building.
The cost of the repairs will be publicly disclosed at a municipal council meeting in early 2025, once the results of the call for tenders are known.
The project was initially estimated at $3.5 million, including the purchase of the property. With the additional necessary repairs, it is now expected that there will be a cost overrun. A more precise amount will be available and made public in early 2025.
The current town hall no longer meets the needs of the Municipality. The building presents challenges in terms of available space and accessibility, as it is subject to regulations that the Municipality must comply with. The current offices are at full capacity, and hiring any new employees requires a reorganization of the workspaces. There is no meeting room for the municipal council or for staff.
Moreover, the municipality is experiencing significant growth. Casselman’s population is expected to reach 8,000 within the next 10 years, making it crucial to plan for the hiring of additional staff.
According to planning standards, a town hall for a municipality of 8,000 residents should accommodate between 25 and 30 employees and may require a building of approximately 10,000 square feet, depending on local services and priorities (Source: International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning).
The planning of the 6,000 square feet available at 1 Industriel optimizes the use of the new space intelligently. It remains practical and functional while incorporating a dedicated meeting room for the municipal council.
Yes. Given the age and condition of the building at 750 Principale, along with the presence of asbestos, renovation of the structure is not believed to be a reasonable investment of resources. An engineering firm conducted an in-depth inspection of the building in 2024 and determined: the windows are in poor condition, the roof needs to be replaced in the short term, and the mechanical, electrical, and fire safety systems are generally at the end of their useful life. Repairs are estimated to exceed $2 million. In addition, funds would be needed to renovate the town hall offices. Other additional costs could also increase the total cost estimate, such as demolition, site preparation, finishing choices, etc.
Prior to purchasing the property in 2022, the Municipality undertook a detailed review of potential sites for a new town hall, as well as considering the feasibility and costs of renovating 750 Principale or expanding 751 St.-Jean. The 1 Industriel property was identified as the best option at that time. Since uncovering the water infiltration issues at 1 Industriel, the Municipality re-considered other alternatives and determined that repairing the building is the most cost effective option, based on current and future needs for the town hall. In addition:
An interior renovation schedule for the future town hall will be published in early 2025, as the presentation of the plans, budget, and timeline must be approved by the Council.
We have hired professionals engineering and legal firms and we are awaiting all reports and information related to the building at 1, Industriel. We are still studying and analyzing the information that we have on hand. Any new information will be published on the website and our social media.
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