City Hall Fountains Can't Hold Their Water

Kate Bouey 8/31/2010 105.7 SUNFM

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The new fountains at city hall don't seem to be able to hold their water all of the time. The flumes, which are said to represent the Gray Canal, pour water into catch basins. It is then recycled. However, according to an engineer who was refilling the flumes on Monday morning, a stiff wind blows the water away and stops them from working. He says this has happened before. Building services manager Ian Currie says the City is working with an architectural firm out of Kelowna on the design flaw. He says bigger catch basins are probably the answer.

Vernon unveils new Spirit Square

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 22, 2010 7:00 PM

Vernon’s civic centre has gone through a transformation. On Tuesday, Spirit Square was officially opened between city hall and the museum. “The design reflects our unique history,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Anchored by two large rocks, Spirit Square includes a water feature representing the historic Grey Canal and interpretive panels related to the role the irrigation flumes played in development of Greater Vernon. The square also features walkways, seating areas and gardens. “The city has done a great job,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, who attended the ceremony. “It’s a beautiful addition to the community. It celebrates the past and looks to the future.” Spirit Square has already hosted Earth Day and a reception for the Vernon Vipers, and the goal is to hold other special events there. Lippert says the cost of Spirit Square was $400,000, with $250,000 coming from the provincial government. He believes it was a good use of money. “The civic plaza was in need of repair. It was getting pretty worn and torn,” he said. “It showcases what we have. We need to have civic pride.”Besides Spirit Square, the adjacent brick leading up to city hall has been replaced and there has been an expansion to council chambers. The total cost for all of the work is $860,000.“I’m happy with what we’ve done and we’ve done it for a fair price,” said Lippert.

Among those at Tuesday’s ceremony was Tom Christensen, who helped the city obtain provincial funds when he was MLA. “It’s a fantastic gathering space. It’s better than I ever anticipated,” he said.

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

Council confusion over square cost

Gary McKenna - The Tri-City News Published: February 24, 2010 2:00 AM

Several Coquitlam councillors are questioning the cost of the city’s Spirit Square, a $2.7-million plaza being built next to city hall. After The Tri-City News published two articles about the project last week, some councillors have expressed confusion over the cost of the project and have now asked staff to outline the complete budget for the square. “I am not happy,” said Coun. Selina Robinson, who was not on council when the project was approved. “I have some concerns and I want to see the whole budget.” Robinson said she was under the impression the project cost $1.6 million and that the $745,000 in engineering, design and contract administration was included in that price. But according to a report dated July 8, 2009 that recommended awarding the contract for the Spirit Square to Bynett Construction, the city had already spent $745,000 on the project. The additional funds, the report said, were on top of the $1.6-million contract and were used to cover the costs of contract administration, design and public art.

“We have questioned this,” said Coun. Mae Reid, who was on council when the project was okayed. “I didn’t think the figures were correct... It doesn’t make sense to me.” Even if the $745,000 in design and $1.6 million for construction costs are accurate, that only totals close to $2.3 million, $400,000 short of the expected $2.7 million overall budget. Reid said she believes the engineering and design costs came out of an initial plan to put underground parking underneath the Spirit Square. “I’m wondering if all those costs got stuck in the Spirit Square,” she said. The city first requested funding from the provincial government for the square in 2007. According to a city staff report, the city allocated $2.2 million for the project, with the provincial government promising $500,000 in August 2007 as part of its Spirit Square grant program.

Coun. Lou Sekora was the only council member to vote, in February 2007, against initial funding request to the provincial government and said he was also under the impression the project would cost $1.6 million. “Council was not made aware of these costs,” he said. “We had these airy-fairy prices and then it came down to $1.6 million.” The province’s Spirit Square funding program was born out of the province’s 150th anniversary celebrations. It was aimed at enhancing outdoor public spaces in communities across B.C., in order to facilitate outdoor events and Olympic celebrations. The $500,000 the province gave Coquitlam was contingent on the Spirit Square being completed by Oct. 31, 2009. The city asked for an received an extension for the project, which is now expected to be open some time this spring. Last week, Mayor Richard Stewart, who was a city councillor when the Spirit Square was approved in 2007, told The Tri-City News: “I am still not pleased with the cost of it. But this wasn’t for the Olympics, it was for our community. At the end of the day, we end up with a very nice city square that will serve the community for generations to come.” And the city’s communications manager said “substantial completion” of the Spirit Square is expected in March 2010.

City considers museum link to Spirit Square

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 28, 2009 12:00 PM

Minor upgrades could be in the works for the exterior of the Greater Vernon Museum. City council is considering $22,000 in improvements so the rear area outside of the museum can connect with the Spirit Square project, which is currently underway. “We will bring it forward in budget discussions and go from there,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. As part of Spirit Square — which runs between city hall and the museum — there will be a water feature and landscaping.

“The beautiful new walkways being installed for Spirit Square in no way resemble the old asphalt walk leading to our rear doors and the contrast between the two is aesthetically jarring,” said Ron Candy, museum curator, in a letter to council. “With this thought in mind, would it be possible to add the old asphalt walk leading to the museum’s rear doors added to the work schedule in order that it can have the same appearance as the new walkways being installed.” Candy admits that this could add to the overall cost of the project. “However, with equipment, materials and manpower already on site, the cost might be reasonable enough to consider,” he said.

The total budget for Spirit Square is $667,000, with $250,000 coming from the provincial government. Coun. Patrick Nicol believes council should seriously consider the museum’s request. “There’s some rationale that says this would complete it,” he said of the museum entrance linking up to Spirit Square.

City hall entrances focus of $136,00 in improvements

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 04, 2009 7:00 PM

Some exterior enhancements are moving ahead at Vernon city hall.A total of $136,000 will be spent to reconstruct the front entry of the building, as well as the rear entry from the staff parking lot.“It will provide a good impression,” said Shirley Koenig, operations manager, of the improvements to the main entrance.“The steps are pretty broken up and in bad condition.” Staff asked council for approval to move ahead now so the work can be done at the same time as the Spirit Square landscaping project between city hall and the library and an addition to council chambers.It was hoped that the federal and provincial governments would provide financial support for the entrance upgrades, but no word has been received from either agency yet.“Since it is impossible to delay the Spirit Square construction any further, we must proceed with tendering of the project prior to any announcements for the civic plaza funding,” said Koenig.

Spirit to soar at end of June

Jeremy Deutsch - Kamloops This Week Published: May 19, 2009

It may be a year late, but construction on the North Shore Spirit Square is expected to be complete and on budget by the end of June. The square was supposed to be done by mid-November of last year, but various delays pushed the project back. That included a three-week delay in putting out the tender because the scope of the initial plan had gone over its $750,000 budget. However, when complete, the square should end up looking pretty close to the original design. Located at the corner of Mackenzie Avenue and Yew Street, the square will feature a heritage park, a time capsule with plaques on the history of Kamloops and its First Nation heritage, hand-made rail cars, a water pond and a small play area for children among its design. "I think it will be a real asset for the North Shore," said Jeff Putnam, the sport development and business operations manager with the city. "We're really excited about finally getting it completed."The only change is a grassy portion of space across the street from the square intended to be a spirit forest has been scrapped for now, due to the budget.

Already community groups have expressed interest in using the square for events, including the North Shore Business Improvement Association for its farmers market. As part of the project, the city purchased a demolished a house on the adjacent property for roughly $230,000. The property will be used for an additional 12 parking spaces and will add more overall space to the square. The provincial government allocated $20 million for the construction of Spirit Squares in communities across B.C. to celebrate the provinces 150th birthday, including $375,000 for Kamloops.The funding was matched by the city. The square became political issue during last fall's civic election when former mayoral candidate Murphy Kennedy unveiled his campaign platform at the site of the square and argued the unfinished project showed a lack of concern by the council of the day for the North Shore.