City council this evening (Nov. 3) will need to determine what direction to take in the rehabilitation of the grandstand at Emslie Field at Pinafore Park.
According to a staff report, there are ongoing concerns regarding the structural integrity and it does not meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards.
One option would see full rehabilitation of the grandstand at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
The alternative is minimum structural rehabilitation and AODA upgrades with an estimated price tag of almost $800,000.
Authored by Cody Montgomery, Manager of Parks and Forestry, the report advises, “Due to ongoing concerns regarding its structural integrity and compliance with AODA standards, the city retained POW Peterman Consulting Engineers to complete a formal structural assessment.”
The report continues, “The assessment determined that the structure cannot remain in use without at least partial rehabilitation. One steel beam contains a hole through the web, significantly reducing its shear capacity, while several roof joists are cracked or damaged.
“Even under normal conditions, high wind gusts could cause further displacement or failure. The compromised beam currently relies on an undersized brace to carry its load, presenting a risk of localized failure if the grandstand were occupied to capacity under Ontario Building Code design loads.”
The concrete bleachers are in fair condition, while the roof is in very poor condition and “beyond service life.”
The report also noted the consultants did not offer a ‘do-nothing’ option, because of the obvious safety concerns.
Written by Ian McCallum
