After two years of debate and delay, the City of Revelstoke has chosen a contractor and a colour swatch for the Revelstoke Courthouse roof. Work will start soon after likely council approval on May 14; the project completion date is June 15.
The plan is to coat the dome with a ‘cool mint’-coloured waterproof membrane. The light green colour was selected to resemble oxidized copper.
In June of 2011, council proposed the membrane option over a cooper dome replacement, citing budget constraints. Soon after, heritage community members became involved, opening a larger exploration of the membrane-vs.-replacement debate. Ultimately, the membrane option was reaffirmed by city council a year later.
However, plans to do the work in 2012 fell through when city officials didn’t feel those who submitted bids were qualified for the job.
This time, Kamloops-based Mid-City Roofing & Sheet Metal came in with the low bid of $200,245. They beat out U.S.-based company Objective and Canadian roofing giant Flynn Canada, both of whom bid just over $298,000. The city had budgeted $300,000 for the project, including a $50,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust.
City engineering director Mike Thomas explained the contractors will erect a cover over the dome and spray it with a ‘Kemper System’ waterproof membrane. The membrane is expected to last more than 35 years.
The building will remain open during restoration.
Thomas explained public works director Darren Komonoski handled the project, but wasn’t in the office when we spoke.
City council will vote on the proposal at their May 14 meeting; approval seems very likely.
Learn more about the process leading to the decision in these stories:
June 11, 2011: City council approves rubber roof option
July 11, 2011: Heritage advocates weigh in on courthouse dome replacement
June 11, 2012: Council affirms rubber membrane option
September 6, 2012: Project hibernates for winter