Relocation Project Update

September 2, 2025

Without the structural plans or blueprints for our new location, it was necessary for our engineering firm to perform destructive testing to determine the building’s structure. Rimkus Consulting performed these tests on April 21 and 22, 2025. Their team kindly restricted their tests to the ceilings of our building, above our drop ceilings, to minimize visible damage for our planned exhibit at this location (Oh! Oh! The Works of Ron Allen). We received the resulting report on May 8, 2025.

Report Contents

Rimkus stressed that the purpose of the destructive testing was to “determine the orientation of building framing, the position of load-bearing walls, and provide recommendations to accommodate the increased building loads and new floor layout resulting from the proposed change in building use”.

While Hamilton Ward and Cathers utilized the building strictly as office space, the displays we plan to mount on the main floor and our extensive collections to be kept on the second floor will, in short, be extremely heavy. As opposed to office space, our plans for this building require its structure to be able to support a much-increased weight load. The museum currently contains tens of thousands of artifacts, which vary drastically in size and weight. Rimkus is taking the increased weight load into account when evaluating the structure of the building.

Rimkus evaluated each level individually. They found the framing of the roof to be in good condition, though minimal reinforcements may be necessary. The structure supporting the second floor was also found to be in good condition, though the proposed increase in the weight load requires that we add some reinforcements to the structure, including “sister joists and other compatible framing members”. They noted that they would need access to all structural components to provide accurate reinforcement designs.

The structural components in the basement, supporting the main floor, are in extremely poor condition. The wood and steel framing in the basement is deteriorated, and as it stands, does not comply with the Ontario Building Code. Additional framing was added to supplement some of the deterioration, but those additions were not safely installed.

Next Steps

With the above information in place, Rimkus is able to draft a finalized plan for our renovation. What we will be able to do with the building will be limited by the building’s framing and structure. Rimkus will be able to advise us on what structural reinforcements are necessary to move forward and how much of our desired build will be feasible.

We hired Rimkus Consulting for the entirety of Phase One of this project, which included an assessment of the building’s condition and a set of generalized architectural plans. As of September 2025, Rimkus’ architects and engineers are hard at work on that set of plans for our review and approval. In Phase Two, we will be asking an engineering firm to draft a detailed design, including architectural, civil/structural, and MEP design, including site plans, floor plans, building elevations, distinctive architectural features, and an MEP systems outline. In Phase Three, we will require construction assistance in the form of review/approval of contractor submittals, requests for information (RFIs) and final construction review.

We’re currently making incremental payments for Rimkus’ assistance with Phase One, which cost $59,800. After Phase One is complete, we’ll submit a request for proposal(s), and receive a bid (or bids) for an engineering firm’s assistance with Phase Two.

Current Finances

  • The Relocation Fund currently contains $223,374.09
  • We purchased the building for $400,000.
  • Phase One will cost us $59,800.