Bondfield Construction has been harshly criticized by the Region of Durham for not expediting construction of the new Fairview Lodge long-term care home in Whitby, after a fire ravaged the existing facility next door leaving 192 seniors without a permanent home.
After the Oct. 27 fire, which ripped through a wing of the facility rendering the remaining structure unlivable, the seniors were placed into long-term, temporary beds at various facilities within and outside Durham Region.
Despite repeated requests by the Region of Durham, the company has no plans to accelerate completion of the new long-term care home, which is already delayed, states Regional Chairman Roger Anderson. The building under construction was unaffected by the fire.
"We thought the fire would have spurred them to move it forward quicker," states Anderson.
"We met with them, we told them the importance…and offered them some incentives to get it done quicker. They said they would work with their trades to see if they would accommodate them. They came back and said no. They gave us a deadline of the end of February. Now I hear it’s the middle of March and they’re still saying they can’t get enough trades, which I find just absolutely hard to believe."
According to Bondfield’s website, the new building consists of a three-storey non-combustible structure, with a project completion date of October 2014. The $40-million project also includes the demolition of the existing building, the website reads.
Bondfield acknowledges in a statement that "there are various issues that affect a construction project from the day it commences."
The company’s general counsel Olly Jasen also points out in an email to Daily Commercial News that, "in responding to changes to the project work Bondfield Construction Company Limited (‘Bondfield’) had to adapt and work with the project team to address challenges that became apparent once the project construction started. Contractual relationships have confidentiality obligations which prevent public discussion of project issues. Bondfield always works diligently with the entire project team to deliver projects in accordance with its contractual obligations."
Anderson says the Region offered up more money to speed up completion, but was disappointed with the company’s "underwhelming response."
"It’s just hard to believe that they haven’t been more helpful and committed to moving this project forward," he states.
Bondfield states the fire "was an unfortunate event that displaced many seniors, leaving them in an extremely difficult situation. Bondfield is sympathetic to all who have experienced hardship as a result of the fire."
"I’ve got 192 seniors who don’t have a home and 192 families that are driving around Ontario to visit their families. What they have to do is hire more people and finish the job," Anderson retorts. "If they really want to be a good corporate citizen and they really are worried and have sympathy for the folks that are displaced, they would do it just out of compassion for those folks."
But Clive Thurston, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association, states there are always two sides to every story and contractors, because of legal obligations, often don’t get to share theirs.
"Many of the contracts, including Durham’s, contain confidentiality clauses and penalties for speaking out. It speaks to the biggest problem in our industry and that is that contractors are at an extreme disadvantage in being able to defend themselves because of this rule," he states.
"Political figures are free to try and deflect blame or pass on the buck because they are feeling political heat for a decision that we had nothing to do with, and I think that’s what’s happening in this case."
Recent media reports have also criticized Bondfield for being over a year behind on a Clarkson GO station parking structure and a Burlington GO station.
"One doesn’t have anything to do with the other. I am well aware of those two Metrolinx jobs, and I can tell you again this is a situation where we’re probably heading to arbitration or court to resolve the differences," he states.
"There are significant delay issues on those two projects — who’s at fault will be determined. But while others can blame us publicly, we can’t."
Bondfield writes that it "continues to work through various design and construction issues with all parties involved in designing and constructing the projects to deliver facilities that meet the owners’ expectations."
Thurston also states when it comes to Fairview, "it’s really not unusual that when you get changes in the design and the specification, the delivery times are pushed out. This is natural. We don’t know all the facts and we can’t discuss them publicly. We do know there are legitimate issues that are being dealt with through the project team and that is the way to do it."
Anderson says regardless of the situation Bondfield is still late on the project.
"One would assume if you’re building something, you put a plan in place and part of that plan is making sure you have enough leeway for potential issues. Seven months late is not acceptable under any circumstances," he says.
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