Tecumseh council is pushing off a conversation on a town hall expansion to 2019 budget talks.
The proposed $2.8-million project would have covered a new 5,300 sq. ft. addition to the front of the existing building for financial and corporate services while a 1,700 sq. ft. addition to the south end of the building would accommodate environmental services and give the Director of Recreation Services an office at town hall. Other changes would include new meeting rooms and a refreshed exterior.
Mayor Gary McNamara says the current town hall is getting crowded and meeting rooms have had to be converted into office space to accommodate the services the town offers.
McNamara wanted to see council consider the expansion in upcoming 2018 budget talks, but feels next year's election played a role in council's deferral.
"Oh, I think it does. I mean, obviously everybody wants to have the real nice big project to cut the ribbon before election," says McNamara. "I am glad that it's at least a year away."
Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti disagrees.
He claims there are still serious questions and options he wants considered.
"Elections played no part in the decision in this tonight," says Bachetti. "As you heard from the rest of council as well, there's concerns with a lot of details that were missing in the report."
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara (Photo by AM800's Ricardo Veneza)
While Bachetti feels more in depth public consultation is needed, McNamara insists the town hall is getting crowded and it's time to invest to better serve the community and investors
"The reality is this is where we do business," says McNamara. "This is where the public does business, this is where we work out of to deliver services to the community."
The only town hall renovations done in Tecumseh were completed in 2005 and cost $1.5-million.
Kingsville recently completed a 3,600 sq. ft. expansion for just under $2-million while LaSalle built a brand new civic centre, including public and library space, for $12.2-million.