The opening of the new Mews Centre in St. John’s has been delayed again.
The facility was originally supposed to open in fall 2023 but has faced numerous delays in getting to the finish line. It was initially hoped that it could be opened early this year.
The latest setback, according to Mayor Danny Breen, has to do with a piece of mechanical equipment that heats and cools the facility.
He says the issue was first discovered in the fall when it was noted that the equipment malfunctioned. New parts were ordered, which the manufacturer believed would fix the issue; however, last week, Breen says it was discovered that the issue was not fixed and “other solutions” need to be looked at.Breen states that the city is speaking with the contractor and consultants to determine how to proceed.
There is no information on potential timelines or costs of yet, but Breen notes that the new Mews Centre will not be opening in the next couple of months.
Breen acknowledges that the situation is frustrating, but he hopes that residents can understand why the city can’t take ownership of the building.
He likens it to making a final inspection on a home before purchasing it. He says someone wouldn’t close on a home if it was not up to their satisfaction, “and this is no different. We wouldn’t accept the building with this equipment.”