Delta council recently approved a staff recommendation to award a contract to replace the roof of the yet to be opened new museum in Ladner.
However, a plan to also replace part of the roof structure at the Ladner Leisure Centre has been put on hold due to a lack of money to get both projects done.
A report to council notes the existing roofing system of the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre building, which also houses the Delta Police Department Annex and Delta Archives, as well as the aquatics machinery room roof of the Ladner Leisure Centre, are all approaching the end of their service life.
A full replacement is needed to ensure the continued integrity of the buildings' exterior envelope, say Delta staff.
The 2021 financial plan set aside $600,000 in funding for both projects.
The projects were posted on BC Bid and several bids were submitted, but the combined value of the best bids for both exceeded the available funding.
Staff recommended awarding a $549,700 contract for the museum building roof and to defer the Ladner Leisure Centre project until council’s 2022 budget discussions.
According to the Parks, Recreation and Culture department, work on the new museum is almost complete.
Located in the former courthouse building in the Ladner Civic Precinct, this has been a multi-million dollar project in the works for a couple of years, and since the former museum in Ladner Village closed.
Delta is assuming operational control, but the Delta Heritage Society will still have a role.
A recent report to council on the BC Restart Plan notes Delta has two new facilities, the North Delta Centre for the Arts and Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, which have not been opened to the public as a result of the pandemic.
Formal opening ceremonies may be possible later this fall.
Prior to that time, the public use of those facilities, as well as the Tsawwassen Arts Centre, will be evaluated according to updated guidance and orders from the provincial health officer as they are released, says Delta staff.
