City Council Votes in Favour of Second Phase of Sabre Jet Monument Restoration Project

Brockville – Brockville City Council voted to proceed with the second phase of the Sabre Jet Monument Restoration Project at last week’s council meeting.

The total cost of the second phase is $89,040, with the Sabre Jet Monument committee raising $48,855.70 of that total. In order to finish the project, it required Council approval of the additional expenses of $40,184.30 was required. Staff recommended that Council approve $40,184.30 funded by reserves to complete the project in which they did.

In April of 2024, Council approved additional expenses for the repair and reinforcement of the concrete pedestal that supports the Sabre Jet. This work completed the first phase of the larger Sabre Jet Monument restoration project.

The remaining components of the Sabre Jet monument project include:

• New concrete base, approximately 40′ in diameter
• Five (5) new decorative benches with a plaque
• Engraved monument with dedication to RCAF veterans
• Accent lighting and electrical upgrades

The project will see Kehoe Marine Construction as the general contractor complete the following scopes of work with a cost, including net HST of $60,751.

• Tinted concrete pad and pathway with broom finish
• Precast concrete benches with brass recognition plaques
• Precast concrete monument with RCAF memorial dedication engraving

Bulldog Commercial Restoration and Waterproofing Inc. will install decorative cladding to the central concrete column. The total cost, including net HST, is $9,973.

Bulldog Inc. is the company that applied the proprietary carbon fibre reinforcement to the concrete column in 2024. Bulldog Inc. will provide a cladding that meets the objective of the project and complies with the material requirements of the fibre reinforcement.

The general contractor will also complete the scope of electrical work and accent lighting for a cost of $18,000 plus net HST.

The project has been delayed in part due to the COVID pandemic, flooding issues and managing the costs and site conditions of the project.

Additionally, challenges and complications exist in working with the Sabre Jet as it was originally erected. Staff said they have investigated numerous construction methods, alternative materials and design features with the objective of returning to Council with a reasonable path to project completion that provides a high-quality completed monument that balances costs with available funds.

The start of the second phase of the project is expected to begin after this year’s Tall Ships Festival.