Corkery Community Centre Expansion Updates
- Clarke Kelly
- Jul 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 7
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 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.
Be sure to stay in touch with what's happening in West Carleton-March:
• Drop-in and speak with Councillor Kelly at his next Open House
• Follow us on social media at X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky
