Spending approved for new cop shop

by Wayne Moore -Dec 14, 2008 CASTANET:
The District of Westside has taken over borrowing authority for the much delayed RCMP Detachment. Council approved borrowing more than $8.2 million from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia as part of the 2009 spring issue. The amount authorized through an Alternative Approval Process put forward by the Regional District in July 2006, is $8,260,859. RCMP had hoped to be in the new 16,000 square foot detachment a year ago, however, the project has been delayed numerous times as plans were scaled back and costs began to escalate. In November, Westside Council decided to re-tender the project after costs jumped nearly $1.2 million to $9.4 million. The re-tendering is underway, and Mayor Doug Findlater says early indications are tenders costs are coming down. "Six months ago, there was a lot less interest in the project. We have lots of interest now," says Findlater. "With interest comes competition which seems to be driving the price down." Findlater says if tenders are less, then the municipality will be able to borrow less. Council is hoping to have the tenders awarded in time for construction to begin in the spring. It's anticipated construction will take about 14 months.