“We will be taking over around 80% of the project, doing it ourselves. We will save a considerable amount of money.”
This has meant hiring sub contractors to work under them on the practical work. Right now, they include Dougall Excavating for the digging and earth moving, and two local electricians - Power Baron and Copperman - to do wiring and electrical work. More will be added in the future as the project moves farther forward.
“We have great confidence with our local contractors,” Swanson said. “So far, being the general contractor has worked well. I think it would be different if we didn’t know the people. Everyone is keeping in touch on this.”
At this point, the engineer for the project, WSP out of Winnipeg has been on site. Water Services has dropped in and out, and the municipality has kept an eye on the work. Swanson said because of the unusual way they are doing this, everyone will be making sure all of the I’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.
To help with this, recently some directly involved met together to discuss the project. Swanson said they are planning to hold these meetings with the sub-contractors monthly, to make sure everyone is clear on what is being done at the moment, and what will be the next step.
She added right now they are digging and building up the site for the new lagoon cell, as that spot is a little lower than the existing one. Overall, Plan A includes creating the new cell, putting in the new SAGR system, a water treatment system that allowed the municipality to build in the old site and doing electrical work. Swanson said Nexom would be putting the SAGR in, which is good since they have a great deal of experience in it. Once it is in place, it will run in the new cell.
They are also looking to build a small building, which will hold the equipment with some storage space, in the first phase. The head of council said they have put out tenders to hire the sub-contractor for this construction.
Once everything is finished with the new cell, they will clean and re-line the old one. Then the SAGR will run from both.
The municipality wants to do as much under Phase A as possible, as that fits under the $6.5 million they received from the province, and something they can do under their general contracting. There is also $1.25 million from the federal government, which might necessitate a different approach. At any rate, Swanson said they have ordered the equipment they will need, so they are not subject to changing prices.
As of now, they are looking at a two-year time frame to have it all completed, although most of the practical work could be finished by the end of 2027. There is a need to do the work properly and to come in under the original budget.
Some might have noticed a bit of a “lagoony” smell lately. Swanson said the work on the site could bring a bit of that. The good news is, by all accounts, this should cease once the new SAGR is in place, as this what they use in cities. This will be welcome news, particularly for those on the southwest side of town.
Overall, Swanson said everyone is happy to finally get started on the work. With her final term ending in October, she is personally happy to see one of her key priorities hit the practical phase. There is also a bit of a groundbreaking possibility to Boissevain lagoon.
“I think everyone is happy with the way things are working so far,” Swanson explained. “This is a different way of doing things, and everyone will be watching us. I’m okay with that. It will be interesting how it will work financially, and see if other municipalities end up doing it this way.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff