Plans for a ramp and other accessibility improvements at the courthouse in downtown Bradford West Gwillimbury have hit a barrier.
In October, council approved about $61,000 of provincial Main Street Revitalization grant money be used to fund most of the project, but they were recently told the price tag is actually closer to $120,000 — and that does not include the cost of a ramp.
“(The funding) is not allocated in the budget. It’s another conversation we’ll have to bring to council,” Terry Foran, the town’s director of community services, told council during budget talks last week. “(The funding council approved) is not going to achieve what is possible.”
Council had previously approved the following:
- Replace the front steps of the Treasury Building and add a ramp to create an accessible entrance
- Replace the stone planters near the sidewalk
- Remove "Council Chamber" lettering from the courthouse wall and repaint
- Install a grey slate-style tile to the base of the clock tower
- Remove and replace interlocking paving stones
- Replace the pedestal lighting
The project would also include lowering counters inside the building and completely removing the existing entryway, Foran said.
“We need to get the accessibility there. It has to eventually get done,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc during budget discussions. “We’re $60,000 short. I don’t know where we can get that. It’s become a fiasco to build that ramp.”
Originally, the plan presented to council for the courthouse and Treasury Building area cost about $279,000, but council told staff last August to look for ways to do some of the renovations using in-kind support from local businesses.
“While this certainly can be accomplished, accommodating the benevolent efforts of local companies would require considerable flexibility in the manner in which the project is managed — including timing,” read a staff report.
That is when scaled down recommendations were presented to council in October.
Coun. Peter Ferragine, who said last fall he was in favour of having local businesses help fund the improvements, again voiced his support during budget talks for organizing a fundraising effort, with donor names displayed on the side of the ramp.
“It’s pretty much a priority. It’s one of our last buildings that we own that’s not accessible,” said Coun. Gary Lamb.
“We need to be the leading example in this community,” added Leduc.
Town staff are expected to report back to BWG council at a later date with a more detailed plan, including additional financing ideas, for the project.
