Windsor buys $285K worth of American-made outdoor furniture for ice rink amid trade war

City staff approved spending hundreds of thousands on American-made outdoor furniture as part of the $15.4 million outdoor ice rink downtown days after being asked to prioritize Canadian-made goods during an ongoing trade war. 

The furniture will cost taxpayers up to $285,957.21 for 28 seasonal outdoor metal tables, 18 table-mounted metal umbrellas and 10 garbage receptacles.

That's before taxes, according to a city document.

These American-made items could be subject to the 25 per cent counter tariffs at the Canadian border, which could increase the purchase by $71,489.30.

The furniture will be part of the previously approved year-round event space in front of city hall that will feature an outdoor water fountain, ice-rink, performance stage and a structure for public bathrooms.

Windsor's now-retired chief administrative officer, Joe Mancina approved the purchase of the outdoor furniture on April 23 with a budget of up to $405,000.

That was nine days after council told city staff to back federal and provincial calls for cities to adopt a 'Buy Canadian' policy.

Why Windsor decided to buy American-made items

It's not clear if the city considered any Canadian companies as part of the selecting process for the outdoor furniture.

Project administrator Graziano Nazzani wrote in a report that these companies were selected because the items would match what's in other parks, will be familiar to staff who maintain the furniture and because the city already has replacement parts on hand. 

City engineer David Simpson said that the city is purchasing the furniture though Ontario-based Park Street Solutions Inc., a company the city has used for furniture at other city parks, like the recently opened riverfront Legacy Beacon.

"We already benefited from having that validated Canadian point of contact for procurement logistics and also anything having to do with after purchase services," said Simpson.

"Not only do we feel we can save cost to the taxpayers when it comes to long-term maintenance but it just seemed to be the most time expedient process to acquire the products."

Items could be subjected by tariffs

The American-made furniture is part of two separate, sole source contracts with American-based companies:

• Maryland based Victor Stanley will supply the tables and garbage receptacles for $186,780.89 (before taxes and tariffs). 
• Michigan based Landscape Performs will supply the umbrellas for $99,166.20 (before taxes and tariffs). 

Simpson said the company making the umbrellas likely won't be subject to Canadian tariffs at the border and that a contingency budget is in place for the tables and garbage receptacles. 

"We really felt at the end of the day there was minimal risk or impact to pricing when it came down to the potential reciprocal Canadian tariffs on metals or steel that's made in the states," said Simpson.

He said a third, local company is going to install concrete benches for the park.

Year-round event space, ice rink within budget

This purchase did not require city council approval. 

That's because Windsor's bylaws give the CAO the power to approve purchases like this if it falls within the project's overall budget that has previously been approved by city council.

Council approved the $15.4 million budget for the ice rink and public space last June with the hope that it would open during the winter. 

Simpson said the project is still within the previously approved budget but said supply chain issues caused set backs that prevented the ice rink from opening up last winter.

The city is contemplating opening other seasonal features, like the fountain, stage and bathroom, ahead of the ice rink.

"Internally we're continuing to look at how things are coming together there and it's all kind of dependent upon the rate we receive the products and supplies we need to finish off the project," said Simpson.