Prison Could Be Shelved

Written by Glen Morrison 107.5 KISSFM  Friday, 30 September 2011 10:27

 Conceptual design of new prison

We likely won't know where or when a new prison will be built in the Okanagan for a while yet, or if the project will go ahead at all. Lumby is being considered along with Summerland and the Penticton and Osoyoos First Nations.  Summerland's mayor, Janice Perrino met with Solicitor General Shirley Bond at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Vancouver, and says given the rejection of the HST vote and the impact on the budget, the minister admitted it was possible the 250 million dollar proposal could be shelved.  Perrino says, "We thought that with the HST failure this project may be completely shelved, and she said she was not sure,  although she does feel there is a huge need, so I kind of got from that, that this may somewhere go ahead." Perrino was told by Bond the four applications are still under review, but a decision could still be several months away.  The mayor says there's also been talk the 360 cell, minimum security prison could be located in northern BC.