Grey County is moving ahead with plans to replace the Chatsworth Dome ahead of schedule.
Council approved sourcing the $1.8 million needed to replace the dome from Transportation Services year end surplus during its meeting on Thursday, after the building suffered a partial collapse.
The dome, which stores salt and sand, recently collapsed as a result of packed snow and is no longer deemed safe to use. The building was slated for replacement in 2027, but the recent collapse has moved these plans up.
After going through a couple of repairs in recent years, the total cost to repair the building is about $380,000. A report from Operations Manager Shaun Anthony, however, says a new structure will enhance operational efficiency, safety, and resilience against future extreme weather events.
Anthony’s report further recommends proceeding with a rectangular building compared to the dome as it provides more space to organize materials, and allows for a better flow of materials in the loading and unloading process.
Director of Transportation Services Pat Hoy adds, “The round structures always has trouble with contamination of materials. We just feel a new rectangle structure would be safer.”
He says they will be issuing a contract for the project within the next two months with the goal of building the new structure by the end of the summer.
