Spirit Square is Open

Tue, 2010-06-22 12:04. Betty Selin - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM

It's a place politicians are hoping people will hang out and enjoy their lunch. The new 867-thousand dollar project at Vernon City Hall has been officially opened. The Spirit Square runs between Vernon City Hall and the Museum. Mayor Wayne Lippert defends the price tag, saying it includes more than the Spirit Square, but also new washrooms and a new entrance to council chambers. The vision is based on the Grey Canal and includes a new plaza, water features and a shaded seating area. Mayor Lippert says the tiles were broken and the city should not let it's property fall into dis-repair. He's also defending putting in more water features, saying they are in compliance and they're using recycled water. Former MLA Tom Christensen was on hand for the ribbon cutting. He says it was one of the final BC 150 Grants to be approved and he's looking forward to enjoying having his lunch on the outdoor plaza in the shade. The province kicked in 250-thousand dollars, which ending up costing about 400-thousand dollars. Current MLA Eric Foster was also on hand for the ribbon cutting.

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Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 22 June 2010 12:58 107.5 KISSFM: Spirit Square Opens

The new Spirit Square in the Vernon civic complex was officially opened today. More than 100 people took in the ribbon cutting including numerous city staff and students from Beairsto and St James schools. The community space along with the new entrances to council chambers and city hall, and new washrooms, had a price tag of around $867,000 according to Mayor Wayne Lippert defends the expense. He defends that type of expenditure. "You needs to take some civic pride and these grounds they served us well but we had a lot of broken pavement and concrete, the walls were falling over and the fountains weren't working any more, so it was in need of repair."A provincial grant covered $250,000 of the cost.

Former MLA Tom Christensen who is now working at a local law firm, was instrumental in securing the grant. This was one of the last projects awarded around the province and I had become worried that we we're going to miss the ball on this BC 150 funding but in the end it came through and that really is to the credit of the city, putting forward a strong vision."

Christensensays he's really impressed with the new space and looks forward to using it for his lunch hour. The Spirit Square includes water features tied to the historic Grey Canal irrigation channel, along with shaded seating areas and a plaza. Lippert says the water is all recycled. "Anything that we lose for it will be for evaportation so right now it fits within all the parameters. Obviously we'll follow along with whatever water restrictions that may come up."

Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he's pleased with what the city has done. "The city came forward with a great plan and it's gorgeous. The thing I like about it's very user friendly. People can just drop in. It's really relaxing." City councillor Patrick Nicol says the city will put it to good use. "It's a people place for this community and if you don't raise and keep you're standards going up, you just get run over and then you're so far behind in terms of upgrading the infrastructure, you can never get out of it, and this was in need of a mini face lift."

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Some of the Contracts posted on City's Website's:

https://ecommerce.vernon.ca/vernon/Purchasing_tenders.cfm

File No

Project Description

Closing Date

Award To

Amount $

FAF-09-96	Spirit Square Construction	Aug-18-2009	Forma Construction Ltd.	$597,803.29
FAF-09-121	Council Chambers - Wood SuperStructure	Oct-14-2009	Encan Construction Ltd.	$141,082.20