Brock Mission homeless shelter rebuild project delayed

The project to rebuild the Brock Mission men’s homeless shelter is coming in significantly overbudget.

The cost has jumped by more than $3 million to $10.7 million.

On Monday, council voted 10-1 to defer the project until city staff can speak with staff from Brock Mission and Peterborough Housing Corporation to bring costs down.

READ MORE: Peterborough city council deals with shelter budget over-run

“It’s a reflection of construction. The price of labour and materials have gone up exponentially,” said Darlene Cook, CEO of Peterborough Housing Corporation. “They’re telling us that steel rebar prices are going up weekly.”

Cook also points to the relocation of the shelter temporarily to St. Paul’s Church as well as the renovation of that site, the demolition of the old Brock Mission and architect fees as reasons for driving the cost up.

St. Paul’s Church has been sold to a developer and now the temporary shelter’s future is up in the air.

“We have security on the lower bid only until July 10,” added Cook. “The cost could increase after that.”

In addition to $1.5 million in grant money, Brock Mission is fundraising $1 million to cover its share of the project.

READ MORE: Peterborough students encourage grocery stores to donate food to Brock Mission homeless shelter

The new shelter will have 30 beds for homeless men and the hope here was to help those men find permanent housing.

“We must build this shelter. It has to be built one way or another. The fundraising must continue. We must provide this critical service within the city,” said Lesley Parnell, city councillor.

“I think having units in the same building with supports help those in the transitional units stabilize their lives,” added Cook. “I think the model is right. Now, it’s just how we get there.”