T&A Rock Works employee Troy Brown watches for falling rock on the mountain overlooking Gallagher Lake.
The Town of Oliver is looking at a hefty price tag to fix a section of irrigation pipe recently damaged by a rock slide at Gallagher Lake.
The actual cost has not been determined, but it could be approximately $400,000.
At Monday’s council meeting, Chief Financial Officer Dave Svetlichny said $430,000 is a very preliminary figure.
“Once we have a concrete figure, we will report to council with recommendations.”
Svetlichny said the money to pay for the repair can be addressed by debt, reserves or raising fees.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said MLA Linda Larson is working with the province to see if emergency funding is available.
He pointed out that any improvements needed to the irrigation system is generally paid for by water system users.
Hovanes also reminded council that the irrigation canal must be ready to go by April.
Director of Operations Shawn Goodsell recently confirmed that a 20-metre section of pipe was damaged by a recent rock fall that came down above Gallagher Lake.
He noted that a 78-inch pipe has been ordered to replace the damaged section. It will be delivered in approximately two weeks.
The Town is currently working with rock scaling personnel on site.
Goodsell said they have sent a letter to the Osoyoos Indian Band outlining the work that needs to be done on its land, to be used as a staging area for materials and pipe.
“We are soliciting contractors to possibly start as early as March 7th . . . weather may play a factor,” Goodsell said.
Waiting any longer could be pushing the construction times and getting the canal up and running in time for early April, he stated.
Goodsell said they have contacted the Ministry of Environment due to the work and possibility of more material falling into the lake.
In addition, Town staff had to contact the campground and notify area residents before works started on February 24 (as more rocks will be falling from the scaling work).
