Three Rivers calls for designs for administrative building

A request for proposals has been issued for the design and cost of a 6,000 square-foot administrative building for the municipalityof Three Rivers.

However, Three Rivers MayorEdMacAulay said the building won't necessarily be the new town hall.

"The architects will look at too, if there is a possibility of adding council and chambers to the space," MacAulay said.

"Will there be enough office space for the mayor and, or you know,councillors to meet people or whatever? We are just looking at the possibilities right now."

Montague town hallwas destroyed in a fire in 2018 and staff have been working out of offices in a trailer in Montague and municipal offices in Georgetown.

Montague is only one possibility for the location of the town hall. Three Rivers Mayor Ed MacAulay

MacAulay said the property where the old Montague town hall used to beis likely the best spot for the new municipal office building.

"It might end up being the best location. You know, we don't know that just yet," he said.

Three Rivers encompasses the boundaries of the Montague, Georgetown and Cardigan fire departments. Under amalgamation there needto be administrative offices in both Georgetown and Montague,MacAulay said.

Where will town hall be?

MacAulay said even though a new building will be constructed, the question of where a town hall will be located has not been worked out.

It could take some time for a new building to bebuilt, so the town is hoping to finalize a deal for temporary rental space in Montague soon, so staff won't have to spend another winter in the trailer, MacAulay said.

"We need something that suits us temporarily," he said.

He said the municipality is looking to rent the space for about a year or two while the new administrative building is being constructed.

"We also need something for the long term and we are required to have an administrative office in Montague," he said.

MacAulay said as a council, the municipality is not committed to calling the proposed building a town hall.

"Montague is only one possibility for the location of the town hall."

MacAulay said he would like to break ground on the project next summer, and potentially have the building ready for 2021.

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