On July 15, 2016, Richmond Hill awarded the contract to build the Oak Ridges Library to Bondfield Construction Company Limited (the Contractor). Originally, the project was to be substantially completed by November 17, 2017.  As a result of significant rain delays and other contractual issues, the substantial completion date was changed to March 28, 2018.

While there are provisions in the contract that allow the Contractor to respond to unforeseen delays beyond their control such as extensive rain, the Contractor failed to mitigate prolonged delays which is in breach of the contract. The Town appropriately documented the breaches and provided the Contractor with reasonable time to complete the project.  

The construction of the library is approximately 90% complete and despite the best efforts of Town staff to work with the Contractor to complete the last 10% of construction, they have made little progress.  As a result, on October 3, 2018 the Town exercised its right under the contract to terminate the Contractor’s right to continue the work. 

Using the warranty provisions in the contract, the Town will now call upon the Bonding Company (Zurich Insurance) to complete or arrange for completion of the balance of the work.

The Town will not be responsible for any additional construction costs to complete the project. However, there may be other project costs, which will have to be addressed.

The community is anxious for the new library to open and we apologize for the delay. The Town is committed to working with the Bonding Company to see the project through to completion as soon as possible. 

Library services will continue at the existing Oak Ridges Moraine Library until the new library is completed.