The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Construction & Rénovation Gilbert Dumas Inc. The work is part of an ongoing program of improvements at City Hall.

Last year, the bottom floor of the building was completely renovated into a customer service area, “but the door still remains a fairly rotten, rough piece of equipment,” said Mayor Karin Marks.

“And so finally we will at least have a nice, new door that I think will enhance the entrance that the majority of our citizens actually use to come in City Hall. So I am very glad that we are doing this. It’s been a very long time coming.”

While there is a large green space in front of City Hall, and the main entrance has been praised for effectively conveying the building’s importance, most people enter by the rear since it is adjacent to the parking lot.

“I am also very glad to hear that the somewhat inadequate door is being changed,” said Councillor John de Castell, who is a landlord. “However, I can’t help but note that at $62,000 that’s about twice as much as one my buildings cost me, and about the same as another one,” he added.

“It’s about four times the cost of my parents’ family home. And that’s just the one door. So perhaps you could explain to us how this relatively simple object can cost $62,000.”

Marks replied, “I know that when we first looked at it, it had to be specially made and designed to conform to the doors that are in the front. There’s nothing that was standard that could be made.”

Councillor Cynthia Lulham noted that the work will include all locking mechanisms, a new automatic opener for the handicapped, lighting and electric wiring.

“It’s a uniquely and specially made door,” she said. “We wanted it to be of oak. We wanted to maintain the beauty and function of the current one and to bring it up to standards so that it would be easier to open.”