The Municipality of Casselman is launching a call for tenders to hire a contractor to repair water infiltration issues at 1, Industriel. 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. 

The municipality acquired the building in July 2022 for $2.2 million for the intended purpose of relocating its town hall. The current offices at 751 St-Jean are too small for the municipality’s projected administrative needs, and present challenges regarding accessibility. 

To ensure that 1 Industriel was a sound acquisition for the new town hall, the municipality retained a qualified engineering firm to assess the condition of the building and lands as part of its due diligence before the property was purchased.  Unfortunately, the municipality became aware of water infiltration issues in the building after 1 Industriel was acquired, which were not identified in the building condition survey report obtained.  Since that time, the municipality has been working with engineers to assess the cause of the water infiltration and the scope of work necessary to repair the building.

The estimated repair costs will be made public once the tendering process concludes in early January 2025, to ensure the process remains fair and unbiased.

The municipal council is committed to protecting taxpayers' investment. The municipality is in the process of obtaining legal advice regarding its options for potential recourse regarding the water infiltration issues.

The modernization of the town hall is part of Casselman’s strategic planning under the infrastructure pillar, aimed at enhancing the quality of services offered to residents while ensuring accessibility. The municipality is committed to maintaining transparency and responsible management throughout the repair and modernization projects, fostering trust and satisfaction among our citizens and partners through accountable governance.

For more information, please consult our FAQ section or contact Communications Services.

Mireille Groleau

613-764-3139 ext. 202

mgroleau@casselman.ca