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South Dundas council promised library space in Williamsburg, but the unexpected $200,000 price tag now attached to the project has left them all with sticker shock.
“We didn’t expect the costs to come in at that level,” said South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald, at the May 20 council meeting.
The recent tender for an addition to and renovation of the North Williamsburg Recreation building to accommodate the Williamsburg library branch attracted four bids.
The bids ranged in price from the low bid by Wells & Son Construction of Morrisburg at $209,841 to a high of $372,900. The Wells bid was $80,000 less than the next lowest bidder.
Council deferred acceptance of the bid, instead directing staff to meet with Wells to determine if together they can identify any potential cost savings.
No member of council was willing to accept the tender price until after the value exercise takes place.
“It’s costly, but we fought to get here,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “If there’s a cost savings to be realized we need to look at that. But, I don’t want this to drag on. We’ve got to get this wrapped up at the next meeting.”
MP Guy Lauzon was on hand on Thursday, May 24, at the Morrisburg Meeting Centre to formally present the board of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage an $8,000 grant through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of the Canadian Heritage. “This is the best part of my job,” Lauzon said, “giving a worthy organization a bit of help financially. I am proud of our government’s commitment to supporting the Arts in Canada. The Stage actively encourages professional and amateur musicians, and generates economic growth in this area.” “We really appreciate how much the Stage does for our community,” said Charles “Chuck” Barkley, president of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage everyone to support their shows.” “This grant was very good news for us,” said board member Sandra Whitworth. “It allows us to book artists in advance, and set up attractive packages for our next season. We really appreciate the support of the government and of our community.” Left to right are Sandra Whitworth, MP Guy Lauzon, Jeanne Ward, Bill Carriere, board members, and president Chuck Barkley.
Cancer volunteer driver, Jennifer Hindorff was delighted with the 25 of ‘pink pigs’ she put out for adoption at Valu-mart on Saturday.
Hindorff, of Winchester, is a Wheels of Hope driver for the S.D.G. Prescott Russell branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. She quickly jumped into the adoptive piggy pasture when she heard of the unique fundraiser first run this past fall in Owen Sound, says Carolyn Bourassa, the Community manager for the Cancer Society.
“This (the fundraiser) is a brand new idea, so we thought we would give it a go,” said Bourassa, Saturday, as Hindorff’s was kept busy handling piggy adoptions. “It was a volunteer who came up with the fundraising idea. They (Owen Sound) tried it in the fall and were very successful.”
“Wheels of Hope is a fairly expensive program to run, but it is hugely beneficial program to people who need help with transportation to get to their cancer treatments. So we thought we would try the Piggy Adoption fundraiser. We thought it was a fresh idea and a catchy concept, so we put the idea out to our local drivers.”
Last year the Wheels of Hope program in S.D.G. Prescott-Russell, supported 28 families with a child and 506 individuals with their transportation needs. The total cost of the service was $150,716.
“We are lucky that Winchester Hospital provides some cancer treatments, but most of our local people go to Ottawa,” said Bourassa.
Hindorff, a single mom who is fighting her own battle with cancer, drives two to three times per month in the Wheels of Hope program for this area. “It is so very sad. If someone calls needing help with their transportation, you know it is because they don’t have family to help out, or they don’t have a car,” said Hindorff. “It is scarey enough to be dealing with the cancer. You don’t want to have to worry about how to get to your treatments. I figured I can drive, so this could be my way of helping others.”
Prior to bringing the Piggies of Hope to Morrisburg, Hindorff set up her first adoption pasture in Finch where she adopted out 20 pigs. “It was the first time, and we were all quite excited about it.”
It is hoped that each piggy that is adopted is returned at the end of February (to Valu-mart) stuffed with $75 which is the average cost for a round-trip to cancer treatment.
In addition to the money required to pay the costs of transportation, the Wheels of Hope program is always looking for drivers. “Some drive weekly, some monthly,” explained Bourassa. “We have lots of drivers who are retired, some of whom are away in the winter. So we would love to have more drivers.”
Anyone who was unable to adopt a piggy on Saturday, or who would like more information on becoming a volunteer driver is invited to call the office at 613-932-1283. Hindorff will also be placing some Pigs of Hope in various businesses in North Dundas.
Those unable to take on the sole responsibility of one of these adorable creatures, can keep an eye out for those located in businesses in South and North Dundas.
One such little pink guy is grazing on the front counter at The Leader for anyone who would like to make a donation.
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