Norfolk councilors back plan to buy Gilbertson administration building

A plan for Norfolk County to purchase the Gilbertson administration building for its exclusive use would eliminate the need to construct a $35-million building to house staff, councilors were told at a council-in-committee meeting this week.

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Councilors voted in favor of spending $6.2 million to buy and renovate the building at 12 Gilbertson Dr. in Simcoe in order to centralize administrative space. The proposed sale would close on Jan. 22.

The county has leased a portion of the building since 1997. Michael Simoes, director of facilities, said an offer to buy the entire building was received late last year. The county currently leases 34,000 square feet of the 63,000-square-foot building. It’s the largest administration building in the county’s portfolio.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Norfolk,” Simoes told councillors. “It would allow us to exit our current lease at the facility and, potentially, our Robinson administration building lease at the end of its term.”

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In his report, Simoes said the building would address future growth or additional potential uses, including replacement for provincial courtrooms currently located in the leased Robinson Street building.

“It would create operational efficiencies, and provide ample space for future growth and, maybe most importantly, provide over $28 million in capital savings over the next 10 years.”

The county’s 2025-2034 capital plan includes a proposed $35 million, 75,000-square-foot central administration building meant to replace its leased spaces and centralize staff into a single facility.

Simoes said buying the Gilbertson Drive building means construction of a new building can be removed from the10-year capital plan. After its renovation, the Gilbertson administration building is expected to serve the county for about 25 years.

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CAO Al Meneses said the majority of Norfolk’s administrative staff would be housed in the building.

“Bringing people under one roof is absolutely fantastic,” said Coun. Linda Vandendriessche. “I think this is a great purchase for Norfolk County.”

The Gilbertson building has been occupied by a growing number of Norfolk staff since the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit moved in in 1997. The county pays just over $176,000 a year to rent about half the building and parking space.

A recent condition assessment determined the building, constructed in 1961 with minor expansions in the late 1980s-early 1990s, to be in good to fair condition. A large expansion of the warehouses was constructed in 2004.

Simoes said the building needs about $1.5 million in renovation, including an expanded parking lot, upgrades to the building facade and minor interior work.

When questioned by Coun. Chris VanPaassen, Norfolk treasurer Amy Fanning said finance staff will look at paying for the cost of the building and renovations with 2024 surplus funds, rather than through debentures.

Fanning also said staff will also calculate the cost for the eventual replacement of the building and begin transferring money for that into reserves.

Final approval of the purchase of the building is required at an upcoming council meeting.

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