After awarding tender of loose firewood supply for its county parks in early April, Wetaskiwin county council has been forced to change suppliers.
During council’s June 6 meeting councillors approved awarding the request for supply and delivery of firewood to the county’s six parks to Saw’s and Ladders, at an amount of $150,000 for three years. The reason for this decision is that the previous contractor pulled out through a letter presented to councillors.
The contract was originally given to Family Firewood. However, administration has received notice from the business stating Family Firewood, “cannot fulfill the supply and delivery of the firewood contract to the County of Wetaskiwin.”
The per-year average cost of the contract with Saw’s and Ladders is $50,000, an increase of $8,000 per year from the contract with Family Firewood.
Coun. Keith Johnson asked what quality of firewood Saw’s and Ladders would supply.
“Fantastic quality,” said Geoff Lynch, directory of leisure and community services.
The county will remain status quo and provide free firewood at its six parks during the 2017 camping season, and revisit the discussion of charging for the wood for the 2018 season.