Tag: capital projects

Woodsworth Maintenance Update – June 14, 2026

Woodsworth Maintenance Update

The Board would like to give you a brief update on the planning stages of the major capital projects. Please make note that dates may change.

The penthouse windows and doors are still outstanding, awaiting materials from the U.S. Estimated start date is anywhere from the 18th to the 30th of June. We will keep you apprised of the situation.

The Tot Lot – A thorough, detailed report was submitted by the Tot Lot committee. It is still under discussion by the board

As many of you know, we have 3 major capital projects in the works. Two that came up as emergencies – the crack in the front of the building and the leakage in the maintenance room. The other is our planned capital project – the fire alarm system retrofit in the Mid-rise.

The Fire System: bids will be going out in June/July and a board decision on company to do the work in July. Site mobilization in September. Project duration to be confirmed by bidders

Maintenance Workshop: Board approved this work in June. We do not have a schedule yet.

Masonry repair front of building and PH floor wall: Board approved this work in May/June. We do not have a bids or a schedule yet.

Board of Directors, June 14, 2026

Update on Urgent Building Safety Measures and Masonry Repairs – North Breezeway

MEMORANDUM

May 19, 2026

To: Membership of Woodsworth Housing Co-operative

RE: URGENT: Building Safety Measures and Masonry Repairs – North Breezeway

Dear Members,

During a recent site tour on April 21, 2026, conducted by Pretium Engineering and The Atmospheric Fund for the Enhanced Reserve Fund Study, senior engineers identified significant vertical cracking in the masonry walls. These cracks are primarily located at the North Stairwell and Elevator Shaft bump-outs at the front of the building.

Following a follow-up assessment by CMS on May 6, 2026, it was determined that because these cracks are located directly above the North Breezeway—a primary building access point—immediate remediation is required to protect members from the potential risk of falling debris.

To ensure the safety of all residents and guests, the following measures are being implemented:

• Immediate Site Securing: CMS has advised that contractors will be onsite this afternoon

to install caution tape and safety signage around the affected area.

• Site Measurements: Contractors will return next Tuesday to perform final site measurements for overhead protection.

• Scaffolding Installation: MT Construction LTD is scheduled to install professional scaffolding and a protective “tunnel” walkway on next Wednesday and Thursday.

Addressing the North Stairwell masonry repairs now will improve the building’s structural integrity and prevent further issues, such as:

• Water Penetration: Sealing cracks to prevent internal building damage.

• Cost Efficiency: Reducing long-term expenses by addressing deterioration before it worsens and potentially combining mobilization costs with other necessary exterior work.

Please use caution when entering the North Breezeway. Follow all posted signage and remain within the protected tunnel walkway once it is installed. You will notice contractors on-site throughout the next week for taping, measurements, and scaffolding installation.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we prioritize the safety and structural health of our building. Should you have any questions, please contact the management office.

Thank you,

Woodsworth Management

Plans for the ‘Tot Lot’

The Board of Directors has had some queries regarding plans for rebuilding of the ‘Tot Lot’, as part of the larger Podium Deck project. We’d like to clarify the situation, and ask the membership for input.

Yes, the Tot Lot will be rebuilt, better than ever. It will be surrounded by a fence of black-iron construction – 1/2-inch rails spaced 4 inches apart, similar to the rails on the sunroom balconies in the midrise. The area will be made accessible, with a proper ramp and fob-activated gate.

However, a question remains regarding the fence. There are two main options as far as height:

1. A low fence. We are informed that by code, the two-foot drop around the Tot Lot requires a fence at least 42 inches high. This would maintain the look of the space, but has a drawback of not providing any real security for the area, which has become a convenient stop for outsiders wandering through our neighborhood.

2. A taller fence, about 6 feet high. This would allow the Tot Lot to be secured against trespassers. It would also improve security for the adjoining patio areas belonging to Wilton Street units. However, it would alter the appearance of the area, and possibly look less inviting to our members.

For the Board, security has been an over-riding concern. Issues have lately included people sleeping in the Tot Lot space, keeping people in the units above awake with foul language, shooting up and leaving needles around, and using the alley as a washroom. Our recent police safety audit recommended creating strong demarcation of our property, with signs and physical barriers, such as fences.

Even so, there are clearly positives and negatives to both the shorter and taller fence options. Given that this fence will become a prominent feature of our Woodsworth environment, we want members to have every opportunity to voice opinions, or suggestions.

We’ll have to make a final decision soon, so please email any comments to our main Board address (Board@WooodsworthCoop.ca) within the next few days.

Woodsworth Board of Directors

SEE:  https://www.woodsworthcoop.ca/index.php/tot-lot-fence-decision/

Upcoming Capital Project – Podium Deck (2025)

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.