After ongoing problems with indoor air quality (IAQ) at the Shaw Centre, the City of Saskatoon has filed a statement of claim against the architectural firm and engineering company hired to design and build the facility and its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
According to a report by CTV News Saskatoon, the city is suing Henry Downing Architects and Daniels Wingerak Engineering for more than $1.8 million, claiming both firms failed to use reasonable care and skill in their work and did not warn the city that the design was inadequate.
The claim states problems with the temperature and IAQ started shortly after the Shaw Centre opened in 2009. As a result, the city spent nearly $700,000 after hiring a consultant to review and fix the problems. Later, in 2013, the city spent another $1.1 million in additional repairs.
The city’s lawsuit also claims the lack of humidity control has damaged the facility’s infrastructure; however, no estimated cost for this damage was included.
“It is unfortunate that the issues at the Shaw Centre have become the subject of a legal action,” Darren Wingerak, a partner with Daniels Wingerak told The StarPhoenix. “Notwithstanding this, we are confident the concerns of the city can be resolved. We are unable to comment further as the matter is now before the courts.”
