Chatham – Everyone is welcomed to attend an Open House hosted by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday June 30th. The LTVCA will be providing tours of the new Low Impact Development (LID) parking facility and renovated Conservation Centre located at 100 Thames Street in Chatham. Come on in and discover what we are all about and the services we have to offer! Staff will be on hand to answer your questions at displays and demonstrations. There will be a speeches and formal ribbon cutting program at noon.
In 2014, the Lower Thames Valley Board of Directors approved some much needed updates to its Administration Building including modifications to the front entranceway and washrooms to meet our accessibility requirements and provide badly needed storage space. Additionally, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent transferred ownership of an adjacent “brownfield” property to the LTVCA in July 2015, as approved by Council in early June, for the purpose of expanding our parking area.
Staff successfully pursued external funding for these projects, reducing the impact on internal resources while enabling the facilities to meet our needs for the near future. The RBC Bluewater Fund provided $75,000 for the parking lot, with $50,000 coming from the Federal Government for the accessible washroom and barrier free entrance to the Conservation Centre. A $1,000 cash contribution and a large caliper tree were contributed by Dillion Consulting for parking lot landscaping. The cost for the entire project was $730,000, two-thirds of which was invested in the parking facility.
The unveiling of an exciting concept for the redevelopment of the site as a Low Impact Development (LID) parking facility with advanced storm water management capabilities – prepared by Dillon Consulting – took place on June 4, 2015. At this event, RBC representatives presented a leadership grant to support this project as part of RBC Blue Water Day. Prior to the development of the parking lot, the exterior of the Administration Building was clad with steel along with installation of new, energy efficient windows, accessibility modifications to the front entranceway and washrooms, and interior painting. New flooring was installed to replace the carpeted surfaces followed by the installation of new work stations and office furniture replacement.
We recognize the contribution of funders and partners in the redevelopment of our parking lot, and adjoining brownfield into an innovative low-impact stormwater management facility and in the enhancement of our administration building. Earlier this month, volunteers from Dillon Consulting and Chatham Sunrise Rotary Club assisted staff with the parking lot landscaping. Contractors have been superb in maintaining safe staff and public access to the building during construction and their efforts are appreciated!
Bartlett Restorations – foundation treatments
Bill Pickard – painting
Chet Liu Engineering – barrier free entrance, washroom design
Dillon Consulting and Henry Heyink Construction – parking lot
Dover Agri-Serve Inc and Ernie Jenkins – river bank erosion control
Earthworks and Jones Grown Tree Moving – parking lot plants
Ideal Decorating – window coverings
Maple City Business Solutions – workstations
Ravata Drywall – suspended ceilings
Sparks Carpet One – flooring
Vertec Contracting – exterior renovations, barrier free entrance and washrooms
Zimmer Signworks— entrance and interpretive signage
For further information please contact
Don Pearson – General Manager – LTVCA
(519) 354-7310 ext.224