ToadBrother Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) Surprised to learn the place doesn't even have central a/c, just a bunch of window units. Reading what Maureen McTeer had to say about this place, it sounds like it was a wreck 36 years ago. Those old buildings can be a right pain in the a-- to maintain. The place still has knob and tube wiring, for goodness sake! To fix that is going to mean having to tear into pretty much every wall to install wiring with proper ground wires. Central heating/cooling is going to be an enormous cost, and if there is asbestos in there it's going to mean remediation. I'd wager if they did it right and started tomorrow, it might be ready for whoever wins the 2019 election. Edited October 29, 2015 by ToadBrother Quote
hitops Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Reading what Maureen McTeer had to say about this place, it sounds like it was a wreck 36 years ago. Those old buildings can be a right pain in the a-- to maintain. The place still has knob and tube wiring, for goodness sake! To fix that is going to mean having to tear into pretty much every wall to install wiring with proper ground wires. Central heating/cooling is going to be an enormous cost, and if there is asbestos in there it's going to mean remediation. I'd wager if they did it right and started tomorrow, it might be ready for whoever wins the 2019 election. I bet you're right. I would argue there is no justification for young kids living there when there are alternatives. Quote
ReeferMadness Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Reading what Maureen McTeer had to say about this place, it sounds like it was a wreck 36 years ago. Those old buildings can be a right pain in the a-- to maintain. The place still has knob and tube wiring, for goodness sake! To fix that is going to mean having to tear into pretty much every wall to install wiring with proper ground wires. Central heating/cooling is going to be an enormous cost, and if there is asbestos in there it's going to mean remediation. I'd wager if they did it right and started tomorrow, it might be ready for whoever wins the 2019 election. And it's a huge place. That's why there's a $10 million guesstimate for fixing it. It's not worth it - time to rebuild. History schmistory. It's only since 1951. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
Michael Hardner Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 I say put it to a national referendum. Options: 1. Spend up to $12 million to fix it ($10 million is bare minimum). 2. Spend up to $x million to replace it (residence only). 3. Spend up to $y million to build a White House style residence/Prime Ministers office with space for official functions. I don't think a referendum is a good idea: "The administrative cost of the 1992 Canadian and Quebec referendums has been estimated at approximately $165 million" http://www.revparl.ca/english/issue.asp?param=143&art=947 Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
angrypenguin Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 I bet you're right. I would argue there is no justification for young kids living there when there are alternatives. It was fine for the harpers. Quote My views are my own and not those of my employer.
Topaz Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Fine for the Harpers, I don't think so but Harper wanted to spend big bucks else where and like the PM before, they didn't make a move to fix the problem, Justin is, so move on to something worth a debate on. Quote
cybercoma Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 I don't think a referendum is a good ideaWe don't need a multimillion dollar referendum on the Prime Minister's residence. He's first among equals, ffs. Just maintain the heritage site and be done with it. Quote
cybercoma Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Fine for the Harpers, I don't think so but Harper wanted to spend big bucks else where and like the PM before, they didn't make a move to fix the problem, Justin is, so move on to something worth a debate on.And the thing is the PM didn't have to do anything but move to another location for a year. It's the landlord who says the building is unsuitable for inhabitants. Harper simply refused to move. Quote
Michael Hardner Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 Just maintain the heritage site and be done with it. Or destroy it and live in a glass dome. It's all the same to most people. Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
hitops Posted October 29, 2015 Report Posted October 29, 2015 It was fine for the harpers. I would suggest that was bad choice. Quote
SpankyMcFarland Posted November 13, 2015 Report Posted November 13, 2015 It was fine for the harpers. Harper chose not to renovate, which was silly. False economy. I would tend to favour knocking it down and having a competition to replace it. There must be loads of young Canadian architects who would love that chance. Quote ‘How small we make our worlds. Gather them in, tighten them up into little castles of fear.’
overthere Posted November 13, 2015 Report Posted November 13, 2015 And it's a huge place. That's why there's a $10 million guesstimate for fixing it. It's not worth it - time to rebuild. History schmistory. It's only since 1951. Any estimate that originates with National Capital Commission is two things at the same time: - a number plucked randomly from their corporate colon - wildly low If the NCC says $10 million, the final cost will be at least $40 million. It has little history that matters. If we must spend a fortune on a residence, build a new one. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
SpankyMcFarland Posted November 15, 2015 Report Posted November 15, 2015 And while we are building a new place, we should probably make it more secure, given recent developments. Quote ‘How small we make our worlds. Gather them in, tighten them up into little castles of fear.’
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