A preliminary construction budget from R. J. Burnside and Associates has shown that making Mono's municipal office more handicap accessible will cost $301,000.

The Town had asked the engineering company to determine what would be required to make the building barrier-free.

Whether the project is viable will be addressed during the 2007 budget discussions. At a council meeting Tuesday morning, CAO Keith McNenly said there may be some reserves available for accessibility issues. He later verified the accessibility reserve is about $125,000.

The current conceptual plans include an elevator, new entrance, washrooms, exterior ramp, lower storage facility and stairs.

The elevator, estimated at $30,000, is the main purpose for an addition to the office building and would provide access to the lower and upper levels.

The Burnside report indicates a vestibule will be required to protect the elevator from the weather, along with a machine room.

The cost of constructing a new entrance and office is estimated at $88,000. It would have a vestibule about 10 feet wide.

New washrooms would have no barriers as well, at a cost estimated at $55,000.

An exterior ramp would have a gentle slope sufficient for drainage and wheelchair use. Its cost is estimated at $20,000.

The cost of a lower storage facility is estimated at $36,000 and that of rotating stairs at $33,000.

The cost of R. J. Burnside providing designs, construction, etc. is estimated at $39,000.

"We're not going with these plans," said Mr. McNenly in a phone interview. "We're not completely satisfied this will work the way we wanted it to."

He clarified that the current plan is more of a conceptual idea to identify where the new features could go and to get an idea of a budget.

"The exact plan will be considerably different," he predicted.

He said that after looking at the drawings he had concerns there could be an issue of access during construction. He suggested staff and residents may have to use an emergency exit for a short period of time.

Councillor Ken McGhee asked if the current heating system would be sufficient to provide proper temperatures in the new addition.

Mr. McNenly assured him that the architect responsible for the designs is satisfied that it will.

Deputy Mayor Dave Baldwin said this was a good start to the process.

The Town will send a letter to the County's accessibility committee to go over the plans and ensure they are done correctly the first time.