Construction firm suing YMCA over unpaid renovation bills

One of the largest construction companies in Canada is suing the Ottawa YMCA-YWCA for more than $800,000 in unpaid debts.

PCL Constructors Canada Inc., which has more than 4,000 employees across the country, claims the money is owed from a multi-year renovation at the YMCA-YWCA facility on Argyle Street, the Ottawa Citizen reports.

Of the $1.4 million in total construction costs, the firm claimed it received only $547,897 in a statement of claim filed last month. The project was completed more than two years ago.

In an emailed statement to the Citizen, YMCA CEO Deirdre Speers said the organization was paying back what it owes and that both parties want to find a solution.

“Unfortunately, filing a statement of claim with the courts was required so that PCL could protect its interests for the work done and money spent in completing the job,” PCL said in a statement to the Citizen.

Media reports said the renovation to the aging Argyle Street facility went over-budget by more than $4 million after discoveries of asbestos and mould caused delays and increased construction costs.