Forbes Hall is a hive of activity these days with both the Poirier Custom Homes team and volunteers all working on the Project. Everything is being made ready for a major concrete pour this Friday. Once the concrete is done, it will be far safer for the workers as they navigate the site as they work: level, solid, and with stairs and a ramp. There will be another small pour within the next week, or two, to fill in areas inside the main pour, which will finish the concrete work.
The opportunity to acquire huge slabs of rock got creative juices flowing, and has enabled the building of a beautiful rock worked terrace between the concrete walls and the driveway. It has changed the massive look of the concrete as one approaches the building. Thank you, Michel, for making this happen, and to the Hunters for allowing all of the necessary fill and rocks to be taken from their pit at no charge.
While it is enticing to wish to see what’s happening on-site, please remember that no one is allowed on site without Michel Poirier (or his agent), or a member of the Project Management Team, present. And yes, this includes “just a quick look around”. It is an active construction site, and there are dangers present. Project Management Team members Ron Bannister, Carolyn Askew, Doug Darling, and Ann Dickie are willing to facilitate brief tours with up to two people at a time if requested.
Anyone wanting to add their name to the volunteer call-out list should contact Greg Gall directly at gnp.gall@gmail.com. Even though updates are posted, sometimes there is short notice regarding the need for volunteers, so you might want him to know of your interest ahead of time. Please note that no volunteer “Drop In’s” are allowed. Greg Gall has done a great job of getting people out to help with the project, and Michel is impressed! In just over the past week or so, there have been 50 hours of volunteer service. Amazing!
There are ongoing discussions regarding cost savings and efficiency measures, some of which will be more noticeable than others. For instance, the change to a trussed roof has opened up the possibilities of further cost savings. All of the flat roofs are now under consideration to change to gently sloped, instead. This will allow for all the roofing to be done at the same time, and with the same materials. This allows for a faster application, which is always a cost-saving.
The current plan for the upcoming months, following the concrete work, is to get the timber package installed for the entry, all of the subfloors built, and then the walls to the Assembly hall erected, ready for the trusses and roofing. This is the plan, and we all know that this could change if necessary. The project is following WorkSafe regulations and conforming to Provincial COVID-19 protocols. Work continues with physical distancing in place (when at all possible) and using best practices. While you will continue to be updated on the progress, we know that many have been wondering about the upcoming plans.
While all of this is going on at the hall, people are working behind the scenes, developing small committees to move the project along, whether it is keeping the community aware and engaged, grant writing, or planning updates, bulletins, articles, and such. This committee organization creates focussed work, assisting TICA with their overall management of the Project. The work is supported with written protocols (as used by the Volunteer Co-ordinator), or Terms of Reference (such as the ones that define the Project Management Team’s work for TICA). As committees are formed, there will be opportunities for participation. The thought is to organize well, versus quickly.
It is exciting to see the Forbes Hall Expansion Project moving ahead, with such purpose, and very much as a community project.
