Assessing the work to be done, getting dirty

We have been working hard to secure quotes to fix and resurface the damaged roof. An agreement has been signed for work to begin in mid June. This is an essential part of the renovation. Once the new roof is done, we will all sleep better knowing the building is no longer sustaining damage each time it rains.

Several members of the Guild visit the building daily to check on it. More than that, they have been emptying containers strategically placed on the second floor to catch water leaking into our beautiful home on those rainy days.

We have received the first installment of grant money from the City of London. As well, we’ve secured a very large private donation. This is testament to the level of faith the donor has in our project as well as in our committee.

At the end of April we sent out a comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFP) to seven design and build companies in London. We are pleased to announce we have an agreement with MacFadyen Design Build to work as our general contractor and consultant on this unusual and complex project. To date both Paul Hurdle, president of MacFadyen and Greg Gillies, the company’s estimator have shown great enthusiasm and willingness to help us achieve our goal. Their involvement is about more than simply providing quality workmanship and a history of award winning innovative design. They will be a tremendous asset to us as we move forward because they are interested in the over arching project of revitalizing the Old East Village. They are interested in the arts and share a common aesthetic and philosophy of design. They are also amenable to us using volunteer labour to offset some of the cost of certain labour-intensive aspects of the work. They are also supportive of our need to acquire in-kind donations to defray costs.

We toured the building with representatives from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. They are considering a large capital grant for the project. A clean-up of the building began before the tour, and it is already feeling more like home.

The huge refrigeration units on the main floor have now been removed at no cost to us - a massive undertaking - and will be used in a new restaurant. A big thank you to Bob McConkey and his crew for their very hard work in removing the units and leaving the building much cleaner!

Click on images to see a larger view.

Much facade work is needed on the building.	Seize the Clay Committee Chair Darlene Pratt stands in front of the current front door to our building. The posters cover wood, which will someday be windows to our storefront.
The first floor with the refrigeration units...	...and without! They have been removed and will be used again in a new location.

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