Published in the Weekly of August 17, 2025
Update – Podium Deck Project from the Board of Directors
This week, the Board and Homestarts met with CMS (who we have previously hired as project manager) to review bids for the podium deck project. CMS invited six contractors who specialize in this type of work to submit bids. Of those, five contractors returned bids.
After reviewing the bids against our specifications and the ability to complete the work within a certain timeline, candidates were narrowed down to two and interviewed. The Board agreed to award the contract to August Contracting Ltd. The bid amount was $614,300.00 plus taxes. This includes several extra items to address security and privacy concerns. Weather permitting, the finish date of the podium project is end of December 2025 .
We will be holding a forum on this project shortly for all members, and an additional meeting for people who live on Wilton who will be directly affected by this project. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding while we undertake this complex and necessary project to secure the safety and soundness of Woodsworth’s mid-rise building.
Published in the Weekly of April 27, 2025
Last year the membership approved the capital budget. Included in that budget was podium deck work in the amount of $809,000 and capital admin and specifications of $106,000 .
The Podium Deck Project will be moving forward this year. We have engaged CMS to manage the project from start to finish (including defining the scope of work, specifications, tendering , permits, and checking tenders for accuracy against specifications). CMS has compiled a list of 5 contractors who specialize in this type of work and will be asking them to tender. CMS is quite knowledgeable on the structure of our coop as they have done several BCA (building condition assessments) for us. An information session will be held by CMS once the contract is signed at future date, before the work starts, at which the contractor will be present .
We have received many questions and suggestions regarding this project, answered below.
– WHAT IS THE PODIUM DECK?
The podium deck is the area on the south side of the midrise building. It includes the patios on Wilton, the breezeway, the tot lot and front steps . This is a cement platform which is part of the foundation of our building The parking spaces on the south side of the building are under it
– WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT ?
It has a membrane over it which keeps water from seeping into the cement . It is original to the building and has passed its life expectancy. It has failed and is allowing water to seep into the cement. This has resulted in cracks forming in the cement platform. Water has leaked into the underground area. This will ultimately compromise the platform and as such the foundation of the building. If you go to the underground parking, you can see cracks in the ceiling and south wall. Left unchecked the podium deck will continue to deteriorate.
– WHAT WORK WILL BE DONE?
All the patio stone in the Wilton patios, breeze way, front steps and tot lot will be removed . The membrane will then be removed; repairs made to the cement and a new membrane installed with new interlocking bricks .
– WHEN WILL THIS BE HAPPENING?
Once the contract is awarded, we will have an exact date at which time we will advise the membership. The timeline so far is summer, 2025.
- IF I LIVE ON WILTON ST., WILL I BE ABLE TO USE MY PATIO?
- WILL WORKERS BE ENTERING MY UNIT?
- WILL THE FENCE AND WALL BE REMOVED
- WILL THE PATIO STONES BE REPLACED
- WHERE WILL I STORE MY PATIO FURNITURE?
- HAVE WATER IN MY PATIO WHEN IT RAINS AND IT WILL NOT DRAIN.
For safety reasons and to allow the construction to occur, patios will not be usable.
The contractor and workers will not be entering any units.
The back wall will remain, but new fences will be installed between patios. New pavers will be installed to match the ones used on the last project.
We are currently looking into a possible storage area and will advise.
The grade will be improved and new drains installed to allow for better flow of rainwater.
– WILL THERE BE NOISE?
In order to repair the cement, work the contractor will be using Jackhammers which will create noise and vibration.
– WILL THE UNDERGROUND PARKING BE AFFECTED?
Depending on the work required in the underground, especially the south side, there will be some disruption . Further updates will be forthcoming once the contract is awarded.
– WILL WE ABLE TO USE THE FRONT DOOR?
The front door will be accessible with limited use. Every effort will be made to limit any inconvenience. This will also apply to the back entrance to the second floor and landscape room.
– SHOULD WE PLANT THE FLOWER BEDS BEHIND THE MIDRISE ?
We would suggest not planting as there will be construction on the walls and contractors will be accessing the patios.
– WILL THE RAILINGS AND FRONT STEPS BE REPLACED ?
Yes, all railings and steps will be replaced, to code.
– I UNDERSTAND THERE IS ARE 3 MAJOR PROJECTS, WHY IS THIS ONE OCCURRING FIRST ?
The three projects are : podium deck, new fire alarm system for the midrise, and a new water system for the town houses.
The fire alarm system is working, and we have initiated a back up fire alarm protocol procedure if it fails. It is being inspected monthly.
We have allocated funds in our capital projects to have test cuts done on the water supply pipes in the town houses and midrise so we will know the actual condition and extent of work required.
Another consideration is cost. We expect the fire alarm and water supply projects will have a fixed cost: material and labour.
Thus, our immediate priority is the Podium Deck.
While CMS has tried to prepare for most of the work, until the membrane is removed, we will not know the full extent of repairs needed to the cement. This unknown could affect costs and our reserve funds. Once tenders have been received and compared to the budget, we will determine if extra funds are needed and available.
We have received many suggestions and good ideas from the membership, for which the Board is grateful. More information for members will be forthcoming once we have a signed contract in place.