Chatham-Kent Council will soon decide on awarding the construction tender for the Chatham-Kent Community Hub (CKCH), with the recommended bid for the downtown project coming in below original cost estimates.
Following a competitive procurement process, Fortis Construction Group Inc. of Tecumseh is being recommended to lead the construction of the CKCH at the former Sears building in downtown Chatham. The total construction services contract is valued at $39,280,323, including the HST rebate, which is below the initially projected $42.9 million. The bid, excluding contingency funds and taxes, totals $35,200,946.
The overall project budget remains at $52.8 million, including more than $7 million in contingency funds, consistent with the estimate presented to council in May 2025. The municipality says the funding plan allows the project to move forward without requiring a property tax increase. Funding sources include property sales, reserves, development charges, and a debenture, with potential donations and naming rights expected to help reduce the final debt.
“We’re committed to ensuring this project proceeds in a financially responsible manner, so seeing the recommended bid come in under budget is extremely exciting,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This project is one of the most significant investments in our community’s future, and it’s something we’ve saving for for many years. We can’t afford to not do this; the alternative options are more expensive and don’t offer nearly as many benefits to the community. I am committed to seeing this project progress responsibly, sustainably, and for the betterment of all of Chatham-Kent.”
If approved, construction is expected to begin in December 2025, with completion anticipated in early 2028. The Community Hub will combine a new Civic Centre, Library, and Museum under one roof, consolidating municipal services in a modern, accessible, and energy-efficient facility designed around community feedback and accessibility standards.
More information about the project and the full report can be found at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/community-hub.
