Kincardine Lighthouse to be closed Aug. 14 to Nov. 3 for repairs

If you want to visit the Kincardine Lighthouse and climb to the top, you better do it in the next couple of weeks. After that, the popular tourist attraction will be closed for three months for repairs.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (Aug. 2), Kincardine council approved the tender from Phoenix Restoration of Whitby, at a price of $279,901, the lowest of four bids. This price does not include engineering costs. The budgeted amount for the project (including engineering) was $460,000, including a one-third grant from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (estimated at $146,667).

The other three bids were: $329,734 from Hasting Painting; $448,069.30 from Heritage Restoration; and $619,002.70 from Roof Tile Management.

Chief building official Michele Barr told council that two of Phoenix Restoration's references were contacted (both were municipalities) and they indicated that the company demonstrated the skills and resources to do this type of work and the company had good business relationships with the municipalities.

The repairs include restoration of the lighthouse lantern and flat roof, and reworking the existing vinyl siding and windows, said Barr.

The work will begin Aug. 14 and is to be completed Nov. 3, she said, adding that the lighthouse will be closed during the repairs.

The contractor will maintain a 1.8-metre-high security fence, signage and lockable gates to exclude the public from the work area, said Barr, and the winter storage of the boats will be extended further west along the north edge of the harbour which was okayed by the Kincardine Yacht Club. The club leases the lighthouse from the municipality and operates it as well as the marine museum inside.

Committee-of-the-whole was pleased to see the tender come in under-budget. However, Barr noted that the respective federal grant will also be reduced, but she expects there will still be some savings on this project.

The committee recommended awarding the tender to Phoenix Restoration, and that decision was endorsed by council later in the meeting.