The City of Nelson has decided to get started on building a new greenhouse at Lakeside Park at a cost of $81,700 despite the fact that they don’t yet have a decision from the insurer on coverage for the one destroyed in a windstorm last June. Without starting now, the growing season will be lost.
“Unfortunately, there have been a number of delays related to the adjuster finalizing the report, which has prevented the insurer from providing a formal decision in regards to the city’s frame,” reads a staff report presented to city council on Monday.
Staff told council they have investigated various greenhouse designs and were recommending a “curved eave” design from Everlast Greenhouses and Solariums Ltd. of Kelowna.
According to the staff recommendation, this design was chosen because of lower wall height that allows for more usable space than the previous model, an aesthetically pleasing design that would suit Lakeside Park, and the fact that the design allows for future expansion.
The city will purchase the greenhouse at a cost of $52,900 which, according to staff is likely to be covered by insurance. Additional costs of $28,800 for a concrete pad, installation crew, and an Everlast installation supervisor are more in doubt and may have to be covered by the city.
The insurance company has taken the position that the concrete pad and footings weren’t damaged during the storm. However, the replacement structure won’t fit on the existing concrete pad.