The third and final phase of the Bonnylodge renovations are behind schedule.
The project’s substantial completion date was originally slated for late October, but due to the wet weather, it’s been delayed.
“They were working in the mud for the most part, but I think when they estimated the original date they were off by a long shot,” noted Ray Prevost, vice-chair of the Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation. “Whether there’s such a delay now, I just think the date they gave us wasn’t that realistic in the first place.”
More will be known once the association receives an update on construction in the coming weeks, but Prevost believes seniors can expect to move into their new rooms by April 2020.
“That would be my guess. I’m not a guru with construction, but once the drywall is all in, and they’re very near completion, the sidings are going up, and the electrical (engineer) is in there. I’m not thinking it will be long.”
Even after crews pack-up their tools, there’s still a lot to be done before the rooms are ready for occupants.
“You have to clean the entire building after the fact, that takes a long time. We have to put blinds up and (there are) other things we have to do once construction is over,” Prevost detailed.
Connie Surgeson, chief administration officer for the Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation, said they aren’t disheartened by the prospect of the project finishing later than anticipated.
“We don’t want to rush the process, because we do want a quality building. I’m not going to say we aren’t extremely excited, and we’re also extremely patient, because we have gone through the construction (planning) stages since 2010.”
Prevost added, “I’m not that happy it’s not completed, but I understand how construction works. It’s a slow process.”
The expansion is funded by the provincial government, with phase three alone budgeted to ring in around $13-million.
The first phase began in 2012. It added 22 lodge beds and 30 compartments. An additional 30 apartments were included on the east-side of the building.
The final phase of the overhaul broke ground last May, when the tender was awarded to Calgary-based company Lear Construction Management Ltd. It will add 46 rooms to the lodge, bringing the total number of units to 120 to accommodate up to 130 people.
Residents will be able to enjoy an additional recreation and lounge area once construction is complete, and there will also be a hallway connecting Villa Ouimet East to the main lodge.
