The Canada Place project along the North Bay waterfront is having some construction delays that may push its opening back a year.
The area will include a new walkway, seating area, and gardens to recognize diversity and inclusion. It is a project spearheaded by the North Bay Heritage Gardeners.
"The North Bay Heritage Gardeners have experienced several challenges and delays related to the pandemic, availability of product, and labour costs," said Jade Scognamillo, executive director, North Bay Heritage Gardeners.
"In addition to connecting two major pathways, the area will provide an outdoor accessible meeting place, archway of personalized engraved bricks, and two beautiful new gardens. We have been working hard on this project for over five years now, and we look forward, with pride, to the day where we can celebrate at our unique gathering place and gardens."
Scognamillo says two significant changes are new project timelines and roles and responsibility changes.
"In late winter, we went to tender for a spring 2022 construction completion date only to discover inflated costs associated with COVID-19 and an increase in material and labor costs," she explained.
"The shortfall for additional funding requirements will be presented to the North Bay council for the next fiscal budget which is 2023. This will involve another 12-month delay in completion of construction, pending that budget approval.
"This change will also involve turning the responsibility of all aspects of this project (going forward) over to the City of North Bay, with one exception. Under this plan, Heritage Gardeners will retain the responsibility of the sale, purchase, engraving, and related administration of the pavers."
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