Sprung structure in Nepean will cost $15M

A conceptual image of a 'sprung structure' that could be used to house asylum seekers.

The City of Ottawa says it has found a contractor to design and build a tent-like newcomer reception centre to accommodate migrants at a cost of $15 million.

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A project update posted to the city’s Engage Ottawa website says it intends to award the contract for a sprung structure at 1645 Woodroffe Avenue to BLT Construction Services, being the “only available and qualified vendor to perform the work required.”

The project has an anticipated timeline of 12 months from the awarding of the contract to substantial completion, the city says, meaning its unlikely to be ready before next winter.

It also intends to proceed with a second structure at 40 Heart Way in Kanata, pending additional funding, with a similar structure and construction timeline.

The new reception centres will be funded by the federal government. The city has been working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to secure funding for the structure and its operation.

A public notice indicating that the city intends to award the contract to BLT Construction has been issued but other interested bidders will have two weeks to demonstrate their ability to meet the builder’s requirements.

The temporary structures are meant to help get asylum seekers out of local community centres that are currently housing them. The structures can also be repurposed in different ways.

While many have supported the plan, other residents have raised concerns over a lack of transparency and public consultation from officials. The issue has erupted protests and tense public meetings.

The City of Ottawa says the structure is expected to be about 30,000 square feet and can have doors, windows, canopies, vestibules, covered walkway systems, connecting corridors, glazing walls, and graphic elements. While they’ve been described as “tent-like,” they are different from emergency tents used in disaster responses.

They will also include services like translation, health care assessments and asylum claimant assistance.

Approximately 600 people staying in Ottawa shelters are newcomers, which represents 60 per cent of shelter users.