The Minden Curling Club roof has received temporary repairs to stop leaking this winter, with a full replacement slated for the spring.
Meanwhile, the Minden Hills Cultural Centre and library roof fix should be done this month or in early 2026.
Director of public works, Mike Timmins, brought an update on both projects to the Nov. 27 council meeting. At its Sept. 11 meeting, council directed the township to waive the requirement for a formal tender process under its procurement policy to expedite the urgent projects. Council asked staff to negotiate and come back.
Speaking to the curling club roof, Timmins said staff, along with Tatham Engineering, reached out to roofing contractors in hopes of getting the full job done in 2025. However, he said none were willing to take on the project at this time of year.
However, the township received one proposal that included a quick fix for this winter, with the entire project in the spring. The immediate, temporary repair cost is $8,000 plus HST.
“ICI Roofing Ltd. has proposed a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) retrofit roof, to be installed in the spring of 2026. The TPO retrofit will be less intrusive than a full roof reconstruction and will come at a lower cost. TPO retrofit lifespan is expected to be approximately 20 years,” Timmins said. He added the cost is approximately $177,000 plus HST.
Timmins said awarding the project now allows the contractor to schedule the work as a priority in their 2026 plan and to secure supplies.
“The timing for this project (is aligned) with the curling club’s re-insulation of the underside of the roof. Neither project will hinder the other work. Given the circumstances, staff directed ICI Roofing Ltd. to move forward with the temporary repairs, and the work has been completed,” Timmins said.
In the 2025 budget, $257,500 was allocated from reserves for the roof replacement at the curling club. With the award of this project, $72,000 will remain in reserves from the 2025 allocation, he said.
Cultural centre roof
Timmins asked that council delegate to CAO Cynthia Fletcher the award for the roof replacement at the cultural centre and library at a cost not to exceed $150,000; and that the additional $50,000 for that roofing project come from reserves.
“Township staff have been working on this project with Tatham Engineering as well. Staff have received quotes which are in the process of being reviewed. The intent is to build a new roof over the existing, with improved slope,” he said.
He added that due to the nature of this reconstruction, work is not weather dependent and is expected to be awarded and completed in December, or early 2026.
However, coun. Tammy McKelvey sought clarity on if the job was for both the cultural centre and library roofs. She was told it would be for the cultural centre and only part of the library.
McKelvey said the library roof has been leaking for some time, requiring staff to move computers towards the centre of the building when water comes in. She said she was concerned the township was not doing the entire building.
Timmins said they could look at expanding the project, but it would come at a cost. Mayor Bob Carter suggested increasing the upset limit to $225,000, from $150,000. “Let’s get this done and get it done right, and get it done soon.”
Coun. Pam Sayne agreed with a higher upset limit to get the roof completed as soon as possible as she is worried about leaks in the cultural centre putting an expensive arts collection in jeopardy.
“We have staff mopping floors from roof leaks and water coming up from the ground. I really want to get this started tomorrow.”
