| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July, 17, 2012 CITY STAFF GET MORE ROOM TO MANOEUVRE |
| Council approved a phased plan that will address current and future office space constraints faced by the City of St. Albert. The plan is designed to ensure that operations, client service-delivery, and employee wellness are maintained over time. “Our objectives as an organization include delivering programs and services that meet or exceed our standards and ensure our customers are very satisfied”, says City Manager Patrick Draper. “Adequate office space is required to achieve these objectives, and the plan approved today is an attempt to address our immediate and future needs as we continue to provide the high-quality programs and services that residents expect.” Over the years, many of the City’s facilities have come under pressure to continue to meet administrative office space needs. Various facilities, including St. Albert Place, have exceeded their design capacity and suffer from inadequate work area, limited meeting locations, and a lack of space for new personnel or required amenities. These space constraints have a number of negative impacts, including on customer service, operations, and the attraction and retention of talented personnel. In order to meet the City’s short-term office space requirements, the City requires approximately 1,450 square meters (15,600 square feet) of additional area. The City will use a phased approach to secure the required space in the short term, while planning for the future using a consultative approach. In the first phase starting immediately, existing resources will be utilized to secure approximately 371 square meters (4,000 square feet) of space through a competitive bid process. This phase will involve initial relocations and minor renovations. In the second phase, beginning as early as fall, approximately 371 square meters (4,000 square feet) of space will be occupied within the recently purchased MIG building, followed by more renovations. The MIG building will also house various RCMP personnel. In the third phase, additional resources will be used to conduct the remaining required relocations into approximately 706 square meters (7,600 square feet) of space, together with final renovations and a review of space maximization opportunities. This phase will begin following the approval of funds in the 2013 Budget. In the final phase, a Civic Space Capacity Committee will be formed to recommend mid- and long-term facility solutions, and ensure that the City is appropriately positioned for the future. The terms of reference for the Committee will be set by February 2013 and it is expected to present its recommendations to Council by late 2014. |
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