The Oliver Business Association (OBA) couldn’t be happier with the announcement that the Okanagan Correctional Centre is one step closer to completion.
Association co-chair Maureen Doerr reacted to the news that Plenary Justice has been chosen to build the state-of-the-art facility.
“We are excited to reap the benefits that we will get from the businesses competing for jobs on the construction and maintenance of the prison.”
Doerr said the OBA sees the prison construction start-up this spring as a positive indicator for businesses in Oliver.
“The OBA is aware of the potential for better paying jobs being offered in the community, which in turn promotes a strong economic base.”
Doerr said they understand there are objectors to the prison and that people come here to retire in a quiet community.
“But Oliver is still a community that must support a large majority of its citizens. We have business owners and workers trying to make a living for their families.”
Doerr said the great thing that makes Oliver a strong community is a strong business community.
“We also understand that no growth will lead to our ultimate demise; we will then become a bedroom community and lose that great support from our businesses.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes said he’s looking forward to the real economic benefit once construction is underway.
“Corrections BC is keeping their timeline as set out and this project will be a great opportunity for the whole South Okanagan.”
Plenary Justice was chosen out of three teams that were shortlisted to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and provide facilities management services for the prison.
The Plenary Justice team includes: Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd.; PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.; Honeywell Limited (Canada); DGBK Architects; and Jug Island Consulting Ltd.
The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services are working to conclude final negotiations with Plenary – a process that is expected to result in the signing of a fixed price agreement by early spring 2014. Construction activities will begin shortly after.
The prison will cost approximately $200 million to build, and the Ministry of Justice expects to start filling the 378-unit facility in the fall of 2016.
The high-security prison will be located in Senkulmen Business Park north of Oliver as part of a $10 million lease with the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Local contractors, service providers and job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with Plenary Justice and promote their companies and
services at an upcoming business-to-business
networking session by invitation only (after registering online). The meeting will provide Plenary Justice with valuable insight into the availability and capacity of local services, products and labour.
The networking session is being hosted by a team, which includes representatives from BC Corrections and Partnerships BC, in
collaboration with the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Interior Construction Association.
For more details about the session and to register, business owners can sign up to the Correctional Centre Business Registry online at www.sochamber.ca.
The latest news is certainly exciting for Holly Plante, president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.
“The expected economic benefits of this project will be felt throughout this region both immediately and over the long term for years
to come.”
She is also anticipating the networking session that will allow local businesses and service providers to promote their valuable resources through all levels of the project.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton said the correctional centre will
more than double corrections capacity in BC’s interior, further enhancing public safety for communities, correctional staff and inmates throughout the province.
Anton said the selection of Plenary Justice brings the province a significant step closer to creating 1,000 direct and indirect construction jobs for the region. She noted the facility will also generate 240 new, full-time correctional positions when the centre officially opens its doors in 2016.
Bill Everitt, chief operating officer of Southern Interior Construction Association, said the project will bring much-needed work and employment opportunities to the region.
Like Plante, Everitt is highly anticipating the networking forum that will help member businesses be successful.
The Okanagan Correctional Centre is part of the BC government’s largest capital expansion plan in BC Corrections’ history.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
