Changes eyed for works yard (COLDSTREAM)

By JENNIFER DYCKMorning Star StaffMar 14 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

Coldstream’s public works department is crossing its fingers that the near future will bring relief to current space, safety and even rodent problems. The public works building committee has come up with a wish list of upgrades to the yard, including a proper lunch room separate from the changing room it currently shares, and in general, just more storage and work space.
Mike Pethick, public works superintendent, gave Coldstream councillors an up close look at the problems during a tour of the yard. He showed off an antiquated storage space with water and rodent issues, a mechanic shop where workers rub elbows trying to work on the vehicles that actually fit in the shop and a Steiner Arch building that could be better utilized if it weren’t the only space to store vehicles and heavy equipment. The same building also houses a small change room/lunch room that is not only hard to keep clean as workers tromp through in their work clothes, but also has electrical issues.

“Currently we can only run one of the appliances at a time or we blow the breaker,” said Pethick, suggesting a separate lunch room built into the same building would reduce much of the problems. Along with the priority of a lunch room, he said a new spot for the existing sand and salt storage has to be found soon. “It (the current space) will be gone as soon as that firehall is built,” said Pethick of the new Coldstream hall, expected to be complete by spring 2008 at the latest. There are a few options that are being investigated. The first includes moving the sand pile to the north west corner of the yard, but there are environmental concerns that may prevent that from happening. Another option is moving the sand pile to the cemetery land. Moving down the priority list, Pethick said a properly ventilated paint room meeting safety requirements is also needed, an 11-bay heavy equipment storage facility is being sought along with a wash down area, a new mechanics shop and covered storage.

With the new hall being built, public works will also be revamping the current hall for its own office and training room space. “Right now I share my office, and I don’t have a very big office,” said Pethick. Wendy Kay, chief administrative officer, adds: “They do ongoing training and right now they don’t really have anywhere to do it.” The committee does not have an idea of what the costs will be for each of the upgrades, but is looking into some of the priorities. Kay said there are some funds, somewhere between $250,000 and $300,000 in the building reserve fund, which means items such as the lunch room could be started this year. But as that amount won’t cover everything that’s needed she said the rest will come in stages as funds become available.