Corkery Community Centre Expansion Updates

Ward 5 Staff
4 days ago
13 min read

Updated: 13 minutes ago

Statement from Councillor Kelly:

I know how important the Corkery Community Centre expansion project is to so many residents, and I truly appreciate your patience and continued interest.

Given the number of inquiries my office has received, I will now be sharing weekly updates in this space to keep you informed on the progress.

I fully understand the frustration that can come with delays, especially when the goal is something as meaningful as a place for the community to gather, connect, and thrive. Please know that I am working diligently to move this important project forward. By ensuring you’re updated regularly, I hope to not only provide transparency but also to reaffirm the commitment to delivering a space that will serve the entire community for years to come.

Best regards, Councillor Clarke Kelly

Update: Week of November 10 to 14, 2025

Implementation Phase:

· Nearing completion of insulation on interior walls

· Began drywall installation on interior spaces of the new addition

· Continue the installation of the wall furring for the exterior cladding.

· Nearing completion of the electrical and plumbing rough ins

· Began insulating roof structure.

Bi Weekly Construction Meeting:

· November 13, 2025

· Two week look ahead

· Discussed final playground inspections

· Finalized media equipment

· Reviewed final exterior colours

Next Steps

· Community Association Working Group - November 27

· Continue installation of drywall

· Finalize interior insulation installation

· Begin preparations of subfloor

· Finalize exterior hardscaping for the winter

Spring 2026

· Due to weather, delayed tree and grass planting to spring 2026.

Update: Week of November 3 to 7, 2025

Implementation Phase:

o Began insulating the interior walls

o Continue the installation of the wall

furring for the exterior cladding.

o Continue insulating the exterior walls

o Continued the electrical and plumbing

rough ins

o Complete installation of concrete

walkway and curbs

Next Steps

o Continue installation of insulation on

exterior walls.

o Continue the installation of interior

insulation and vapour barrier.

o Complete the mechanical and electrical

rough ins

Update: Week of October 27 to 31, 2025

Implementation Phase:

o Continue the installation of the wall furring for the exterior cladding.

o Continue insulating the exterior walls

o Completing electrical and plumbing rough ins

o Began work on concrete curbs and walkways Bi Weekly Construction Meeting

o Reviewed two week look ahead for coordination

o Discussed patio stones and grading under the existing covered patio

o Reviewed final concrete and curb plans for the playground area

o Discussed mechanical room layout

o Reviewed media plans for small and large multi-purpose room.

Next Steps

o Continue installation of insulation on exterior walls

o Continue the placement of exterior hardscaping for curbs and walkways

Update: Week of October 20 to 24, 2025

Implementation Phase:

o Continue the installation of the air barrier blue skin.

o Continue the installation of the wall furring for the exterior cladding.

o Began insulating the exterior walls

o Began running electrical and plumbing inside the interior walls o Completed the concrete installation for the Grand Room patio.

Next Steps

o Planned completion of installation of air barrier blue skin

o Continue installation of exterior wall furring

o Continue installation of insulation on exterior walls

o Prepare for concrete for curbs and sidewalks.

Special Community Note The Corkery CC Site will be secured and cleared out by 4pm on Friday October 31. Happy Halloween!

Update: Week of October 13 to 17, 2025

Implementation Phase:

o Continue the installation of the air

barrier blue skin.

o Began installation of the wall

furring for the exterior cladding.

o Continued preparation and grading

of the base for the Great Room

Patio

o Continued installation of curbs for

the playground area.

o Completed installation of heavy

path of travel in parking lot.

o Installed windows

Corkery CA Working Group met Oct 16

o Toured the site

o Reviewed the playground area

o Discussed the new berm behind

the building

o Started planning for winter operations

Bi-weekly Construction Coordination Meeting Oct 16

o Reviewed previous two weeks of progress

o Future planned for coordination of next two weeks of progress

o Discussed rink flooding equipment and room layout

o Discussed security and access

o Reviewed plans with trades.

Next Steps

- Continue installation of Air barrier blue skin

- Continue installation of exterior wall furring

- Complete installation of curbs and patio adjacent to play

equipment.

Update: Week of October 6 to 10, 2025

Implementation Phase:

• Installation of the air barrier continued

all week

• Preparation of the granular base for the

installation of the walkways was

completed

• Playground

o Equipment components and new

swings arrived.

o Base for play area was completed

o Installer completed the rough

installation for inspection

o Installation deficiencies addressed

Next Steps

• Install engineered wood fiber for play area.

• Complete final inspections required for playground

• Install windows.

• Continue work on the air barrier

• Meet with Corkery Community Association Working Group

Update: Week of September 29-October 3, 2025.

Implementation Phase:

• Interior Framing Team continued working

on the interior framing of building.

• Civil team prepared and installed the base

for the new playground area.

• East side elevation of the building hardscape

preparations were completed and ready for

concrete.

• Exterior building sheathing installation was

completed

• Preparation for water proofing and window

installation was started.

• Roof membrane was applied to the Northern

side of the large, sloped roof.

Next Steps

• Install the windows

• Move and reinstall the play

structures and new swing set

equipment

• Begin working on the accessible

parking areas and the parking lot.

Special Announcement:

• No work is expected on site

during the Thanksgiving

Weekend (October 11-13)

Happy Long Weekend, Corkery!

Update: Week of September 22-26, 2025.

Implementation Phase:

Interior Framing Team continued working on the interior framing of building.

Civil team mobilized to site

Existing concrete curbs were removed from parking lot edge

Layout of future concrete apron and walkway was completed in preparation for digging.
Continued Glasrock sheathing installation on exterior of the building.

Next Steps

· Complete installation of new exterior sheathing

· Continue civil work on new playground area

· Excess dirt removal and creation of new observation berm behind facility.

· Roofing and building envelope work.

Update: Week of September 8-12, 2025

Implementation Phase:

• Interior Framing Team remained on site all week to complete framing work in preparation for exterior cladding.

• Roofing team was on the roof to make parapet corrections, and tie in weather proofing to the rest of the exterior structure.

• Original building doors were reinstalled

• New demolition of interior spaces within the original building have begun in preparation for new work.

• New exterior cladding (Glasroc Sheathing) has been delivered to site.

Next Steps

• Install new exterior cladding

• Mobilize heavy civil equipment to continue working on landscape and park elements.

Update: week of August 25 to August 29, 2025

Implementation Phase:

• O’Reilly Brothers Construction completed work over the weekend

• Structural steel preparation has been completed. The sand blasting and coating of the structural steel elements went well and was completed ahead of schedule.

*** Thank you to O’Reilly Brothers construction and the Cavanagh team for putting in the additional effort. ***

• New stormwater infrastructure preparations have begun in behind the existing building. Work included layout, locates and cut / fill to final rough grade.

• Septic system corrections have been completed.

• Windows were removed to prepare for framing corrections and to apply new window details.

Next Steps

• Next week the Team hosts the Bi weekly coordination construction meeting.

• Civil work will continue around the exterior of the site.

• City Forestry services will be on site to address the broken limb on the Butternut tree.

• Continued work on the roof and walls to get to the weather tight building milestone.

Update: week of August 18 to August 22, 2025

Project Update

The Site

The work site has officially been turned over to Cavanagh Construction, who regularly does checks, and reviews for site security.
Full-time inspection and oversight is being provided for the remainder of the project.
This item can be closed for future updates.z

Implementation Phase

Significant clean-up of the interior space was completed in preparation for sandblasting operations of the structural steel.
O’Reilly Brothers Contracting mobilized to site with their sandblasting equipment and began preparing the building’s structural steel for sandblasting.
The windows, and floors were hoarded with orange plastics to prevent damage.

Construction Team Biweekly Meeting

Items discussed:

Recap of last two weeks of work
Schedule
Plans and preparation of the new playground
Hard landscape elements
Coordination and potential issues coming up in the next two weeks

CC Development Working Group Meeting – Thursday, August 21

Councillor Kelly was in attendance.
The team reviewed the site
Discussed planning for the outdoor rink season
Discussed coordination of work for the next two weeks

Next Steps

O’Reilly Brothers Contracting to complete sandblasting and preparations of the structural steel.
Begin sealing up the building envelope to be weather tight.

Update: Week of August 11 to August 14, 2025

The Site

• Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.

• Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with full time inspection and oversight.

Implementation Phase:

• Exterior cladding removals were completed.

• The Cavanagh site fencing was installed, old fencing removed.

• Existing playground equipment was relocated to its temporary storage area behind the fire station.

• The interior of the facility has been packed up and stored in preparation for sand blasting.

Next Steps

• The next two weeks will be sand blasting and preparations of the structural steel for final installation.

• There may be less than usual activity on site as work must wait for the structural steel work to be completed before proceeding.

Update: week of July 28 to August 1, 2025.

The site

• Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.

• Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on July 28, 30 and August 1st last week.

• The Cavanagh Construction Trailer was delivered to the site and placed Thursday.

Implementation Phase:

• Removals of the exterior cladding, insulation and thermal clips have begun.

• The metallurgy subcontractor visited site to complete the review of the structural steel

• Cavanagh and the City completed approvals for the relocation of the exiting play equipment to behind the fire station.

• Additional site fencing has been delivered to site to secure the play equipment.

• The Corkery Community Association Working Group was established. The group will walk the site once a month to review progress and will meet ad hoc as needed throughout the process. Pierre remains as main contact throughout construction.

Corkery Community Association – Building Development Working Group

Pierre Gravel (Corkery Community Association) – Co Chair
Katherine Woodward (Corkery Community Association)
Shazia Hussain (Corkery Community Association)
Kris Raby (City of Ottawa) – Chair
Gabrielle Marcott (City of Ottawa)
Darren O’Connor (City of Ottawa)
Lisa McGee (Councilor’s Office)

Next Steps

• Continued removals of the exterior cladding, insulation and frost clips

• Interior review of existing installed mechanical equipment

• Removals of existing play equipment.

Update: week of July 21 to July 25, 2025

The bond

Continues to be managed by Nupur Chakravorty and legal services.

The site

Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.
Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on July 21, 23 and 25 last week.
Cavanagh Construction Surveyed the site for placement and power of their site trailer as well as signage.

Implementation Phase:

· July 22

o The City and Cavanagh met on site to review logistics of current building assessment

o Kris Raby (City PM) met with Pierre (Community Association) on site

o A number of sub trades were in and out to review current conditions.

· July 23

Kris, met Cavanagh Construction on site, did a site review and filmed current conditions.

· July 24

Cavanagh team sent over the premobilization documents as well as a preliminary schedule of construction. Documents and schedule being reviewed.

Next Steps

· Cavanagh Construction to officially mobilize to the Corkery Work site and begin work!!

· City to Review lead times and delivery of playground equipment and prioritize preparations for playground.

· The City will continue to keep the community, Councilor and stakeholders informed on a regular basis as the project moves forward.

Update: week of July 14 to July 18, 2025

The bond

• Continues to be managed by legal services.

• Nupur Chakravorty to continue working with City of Ottawa team on history and legal matters

The site

• Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.

• Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on July 11, 14 and 16 last week.

• City is working on logistics with Cavanagh Construction to turn over the site to the contractor for mobilization.

Tender Phase:

• Item complete. Cavanagh Construction has been awarded the contract and have begun pre- mobilization documentation.

Implementation Phase:

• On July 17, the City hosted a kick off meeting with the construction project team

• Majority of discussions were in relation to administrative process, and pre-mobilization requirements from the contractor to complete investigative work and planning.

• Cavanagh Construction has begun review and assessment of existing conditions, with document review, and they have engaged subcontractors to go and review current condition in the field.

• City is providing history and documentation to Cavanagh Construction

Next Steps

• The City has scheduled a vendor performance expectation meeting with the contractor for July 22.

• The City to receive and review draft construction schedule proposed by Cavanagh Construction,

• The City to receive and communicate mobilization date

Corkery Community Centre Update: Week of July 7 - July 11, 2025

The bond

• Continues to be managed by legal services.

The site

• Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.

• Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on July 7, 9 and 11 last week.

• A final site cleaning was completed by the pest management vendor.

The tender

• Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. submitted the best value bid and was selected through the competitive tender process. The City of Ottawa is very excited to have their experience, resources, and manpower on board to expedite the completion of this project.

• The contractor submitted all required documents and the award process was completed.

• A purchase order was issued to Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. on July 10, 2025.

• A pre-construction meeting with contract team has been scheduled for Thursday July 17.

• The Commence Work Order was issued to the contractor July 15.

Next Steps

• The City will hold a vendor performance expectation meeting with the contractor to review goals and expectations of performance.

• The City will discuss construction schedule, pre-construction review of current site conditions, and a mobilization date for the contractor to take over the site.

• The City will update the community and stakeholders with the mobilization date and anticipated construction timeline following the pre-construction meeting.

• The City will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed on a regular basis as the project moves forward.

Community Centre Update: Week of June 30 - July 4, 2025

The bond

Continues to be managed by legal services.

The site

Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.
Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with a visit conducted on July 3 last week.
The building remains bird-free. We will continue to have the site monitored for bird intrusion until the contractor takes over the site.

The tender

Award of the contract is in process, contractor submitted required documentation and further to acceptance, contract will be issued.
Contractor’s name will be announced once the purchase order is issued.

What to expect after contract is issued

The City will issue a Commence Work Order
The City will set up a Pre-construction meeting with the contractor
The City will set up a vendor performance expectation meeting with the contractor
The City will receive construction schedule
The City will inform the community and the Councillor the contractor’s mobilization date
Once schedule is received, reviewed and approved the City will inform its milestones
The City will continue to keep the community informed on a regular basis as the project moves forward

More updates coming soon.

Corkery Community Centre Expansion Update: Week of June 23 - June 27, 2025

The bond

• Continues to be managed by legal services.

The site

• Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.

• Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on June 23, 25 and 27 last week.

• No birds were inside the building last week. This will continue to be monitored until the contractor takes over the site.

The tender

• Following the close of the Request for Proposals, documentation was evaluated and preferred contractor was selected.

• Award of the contract is in process, contractor submitted required documentation and further to acceptance, contract will be issued.

• Contractor’s name will be announced once the purchase order is issued.

What to expect after contract is issued

• The City will issue a Commence Work Order

• The City will set up a Pre-construction meeting with the contractor

• The City will set up a vendor performance expectation meeting with the contractor

• The City will receive construction schedule

• The City will inform the community and the Councillor the contractor’s mobilization date

• Once schedule is received, reviewed and approved the City will inform its milestones

• The City will continue to keep the community and the Councillor inform on a regular basis as the project moves forward

When does the City expect to be in a position to announce winning bidder / purchase order to the CCA?

It will depend how fast the contractor submits all the documentation required and the completeness of it: insurance, bond, WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) etc. From the City's perspective, this file is a priority so our review will be done fast. We are trying for end of this week (acknowledging that is tight) but, if not possible, then next week.

More updates coming soon.

Corkery Community Centre Expansion Update: Week of June 16 - June 20, 2025

The bond

Continues to be dealt with by legal services.

The site

Site remains secured, and fencing is checked regularly during site inspections.
Infrastructure Services staff maintain regular site inspections, with visits conducted on June 18 and 20 last week.
No birds were inside the building last week. This will continue to be monitored until the contractor takes over the site.

The tender

Request for Proposals was posted on May 15.
The Request for Proposals closed on June 18, and four proposals have been received. The proposals are being reviewed, and we are expecting to have a result by the end of this week.

If you have a question about this or any other Ward or City issue, just send an email to Clarke.Kelly@Ottawa.ca or call our office at 613-580-2475. You can also submit a report to Ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1.