Hurry up and wait.
That’s what local contractors have to do as the anticipation grows for construction to begin on the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver.
The Ministry of Justice is planning to make a public announcement later this month regarding the final design, construction and building schedule.
The province recently reached a final agreement with Plenary Justice, the company responsible for building, partially financing and maintaining the new facility.
Myers Bennett, president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, said some of the larger contractors are starting to anticipate movement on the site in Senkulmen Business Park.
“But until Plenary comes up with the final design and timelines, the smaller contractors are sitting back hoping their name will be pulled from the 475 contractors that have registered on our website.”
The chamber has established a registry where businesses have recorded their information in hopes their services will be called upon for the prison’s construction.
“I believe there will be a lot of local contractors used as I believe that was a stipulation of the Osoyoos Indian Band,” Bennett said.
As far as real estate is concerned, he noted that smart investors with money have quietly came in and purchased some key commercial and rental homes (for people needing accommodation).
But Bennett foresees another boom once Plenary starts building and contractors start to arrive.
“As the Chamber of Commerce we need to convince them to move to our three communities and make sure we realize that we are not our own competition, but our competition (for real estate) is Penticton and Kelowna.”
Bennett also noted the chamber is trying to establish a shuttle bus from Kelowna to Osoyoos so that new residents will be able to enjoy the South Okanagan.
The $200 million correctional centre will create 1,000 direct and indirect construction jobs for the region, according to the ministry. The high-security facility will also generate 240 new, full-time correctional positions when it officially
opens its doors in 2016.
Bill Everitt, chief operating officer of Southern Interior Construction Association, is anticipating the project bringing much-needed work and employment opportunities to the region.
The 378-cell correctional centre is the centrepiece of BC Corrections’ second-phase capital expansion plan.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
