The Sunderland Sand Dome has served the Brock community for years and has been essential in providing a timely response to winter operations in the Southern portion of Brock Township.
The life span for this structure has come to an end and the township has announced that a new structure will take it’s place this winter.
The construction of this project includes tearing down the old structure and building a new fabric dome and foundation. This modern structure will use advanced materials and technology, offering a life cycle equal to or better than traditional wooden domes.
The Sunderland Sand Dome was reported to be leaking significantly, with visible rot observed from inside the structure. In several areas, daylight could be seen penetrating through the dome, indicating substantial deterioration, said a statement to Durham Post.
The Sunderland sand dome is a vital part of the Township of Brock’s winter control effort and is essential for service delivery. It houses the winter sand and salt mixture that is utilized for winter operations on the roadway systems.
Structural Engineering Report
Upon discovering the rot, the township engaged an engineer to assess the structural integrity of the dome. The engineer’s report assessed the rot damage and informed township staff that the dome should not be used in the winter due to concerns with the structural capability of the dome to withstand wind and snow load.
Currently a contractor has not been decided upon for the repairs. Components of the repair (wood panels and supports) are proprietary and as such any contractor wishing to bid on the repair will have to secure the material for the company that has the proprietary rights to the design of the materials.
There are three potential options that staff outlined to council to address this situation:
- Option one would be to repair the dome at an estimated cost of $230,000 plus HST. The repair estimate includes all necessary work to restore the dome’s safety and re-shingle the entire structure. However, staff are concerned that there is a risk that additional rot may be discovered during the repair process, potentially increasing costs, and as such do not generally support this option.
- Option two is to replace the dome with new wood construction at a cost of $275,000 plus HST. Staff note that this creates a new permanent structure that would be tied to this site for the lifetime of the asset. Staff do not support this option due to costs and the fixed nature of the asset.
- Option three is to build a new fabric dome with a temporary foundation next to the existing sand dome at an estimated cost of $195,000 plus HST. Municipalities and road authorities are replacing old wooden structures with fabric domes as the expected life cycle is equal to or better than traditional wood structures and less costly. It should be noted that this price does not include the demolition of the old dome or a proper concrete (preferable) or asphalt floor, at the time of writing this report. Staff support this option as the structure utilizes modern technology and materials and is more cost
effective through LAS Canoe Procurement Group.
A weather-protected facility for storing sand and salt is essential for the township’s winter operations. With the Township’s ability to procure the new fabric dome through Local Authority Services (LAS), the most cost-effective and practical solution is to construct a new fabric dome with a temporary foundation.
That Council authorize staff to proceed with the Section 6.5 “Cooperative Purchasing” of the township’s Procurement By-law #3148-2022-FI, in order to purchase a new fabric covered dome with a temporary foundation to replace the old Sunderland sand dome as soon as possible