There were a lot of smiles last Wednesday as B.C. Corrections signed a historic deal with the Osoyoos Indian Band ensuring the new Okanagan Correctional Centre will become a reality. On hand for the ceremony were (front row left) Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens Services and Open Government, OIB Chief Clarence Louie and B.C. Attorney General Shirley Bond. In the back row were veteran Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff and Petra Ventimillia, past president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Keith Lacey.
Confirmation that the Okanagan Correctional Centre will begin construction about one year from now is “one of the biggest announcements ever made in the South Okanagan Valley,” says Town of Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells.
“I think the construction of this prison ranks right up there with the irrigation ditch coming to the South Okanagan in the 1930s,” said Wells. “As the government ministers talked about over and over again today, this is all about jobs and this project is going to create a lot of long-term sustainable jobs that are going to have a tremendous impact across the South Okanagan, including in the Town of Osoyoos.”
B.C.’s Attorney General Shirley Bond announced last Wednesday that the Okanagan Correctional Centre has reached two major milestones with the signing of a historic agreement between the provincial government and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the short-listing of three construction companies that will move to the next stage of the competitive selection process for this $240-million project.
Bond, OIB Chief Clarence Louie and Minister of Citizens Services and Open Government, Ben Stewart, signed two contracts guaranteeing the project will become a reality at a ceremony at the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos.
The contracts secure the future of the new medium security prison project by laying out the details of the land lease and utilities service for a 60-year period, plus an option for an additional 20-year agreement.
The partnership to build the new correctional centre on OIB land is the first such partnership between B.C. Corrections and a First Nations in this province and the only one of its kind in the entire country, said Louie.
Bond also announced the three teams selected to submit a proposal to design, build, partially finance and maintain the correctional facility. B.C. Community Partners, Brookfield-EllisDon-Fengate Justice Partners and Plenary Justice have been selected following a thorough evaluation of submissions received through a Request for Qualifications and have now qualified to participate in the Request for Proposal process.
When completed, the new jail will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.’s Interior and will enhance public safety for numerous communities across the region, correctional staff and inmates throughout the province, said Bond.
The correctional centre will also generate significant economic benefits for the region, including the creation of up to 500 direct and 500 indirect construction jobs, as well as approximately 240 new, full-time correctional positions when the centre opens, she said.
The jail is expected to open in the fall of 2016, said Bond.
“The signing of these agreements secures the future of the Okanagan Correctional Centre and reflects a historic partnership between B.C. Corrections and the Osoyoos Indian Band,” said Bond. “As we move into the Request for Proposal stage, we take one more major step towards the completion of this significant project.
“It is the centerpiece of the second phase of the largest capital expansion in B.C. Corrections’ history and will increase corrections capacity to meet current and future demand. This project will see 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 240 permanent jobs once the project is complete. It is an important part of our job creation strategy.”
Louie said this is a historic announcement for his band and First Nation communities across the country.
“The signing of the land lease and utilities contract with the government creates a long-term commitment to the project and builds on our band’s history of success as a major economic driver in our region,” he said. “Together, we are leading the way on this innovative partnership, which is the first of its kind between B.C. Corrections and a First Nations.”
Request for Proposal submissions are due by this fall and the selection of the successful bidding team and the signing of a fixed-price, performance-based project agreement is expected by early 2014, with construction set to begin late next winter or early spring, said Bond.
The new Okanagan Correctional Centre will have an annual $18-million payroll, which will have significant economic spinoffs to the economy of the entire South Okanagan, said Bond.
Louie added the economic benefits will be felt for decades.
“I know so many people, both native and non-native, are going to benefit from this project for generations to come,” he said.
Wells said economic spinoff will be huge.
“It’s going to result in more enrolment in our elementary and secondary schools, have an impact on creating more jobs at the hospital in Oliver and greatly benefit core services across the South Okanagan,” he said. “This is a truly historic day and announcement.”
