The City of Colwood has deferred a decision on whether to move forward with a project to build a new public works building until after council has completed its strategic plan.
At the regular council meeting Monday (July 10), council unanimously voted to defer a decision on whether to move forward with the design of a 973-square-metre building with an estimated budget of $8,857,500. An estimated $9,300,000 is included in the city’s 2023-2027 financial plan for the project.
The building design came out of a feasibility study initiated in 2021 and approved by the previous council in May 2022, which confirmed there is enough space for it at the current municipal property at 3300 Wishart Rd.
According to a staff report, the need for a new public works building is high as most of the current structures are temporary and nearing the end of their useful life, the facilities are spread across the property leading to inefficiencies, there is insufficient changing and washroom space, three vehicle maintenance bays are being used for office space due to a lack of proper office space, and the Emergency Operations Centre is not in a disaster-ready building.
Despite agreeing with the need for a new building, council felt more discussions were needed.
“I’m concerned about doing this before we’ve looked at our strategic plan. It’s a large financial ask that will require that we go to a referendum, and that means we need to be really clear on our goals and what our staging will be. Before we make those detailed plans and seek public support, we need to know how that fits in with the big picture with all things Colwood needs,” said Coun. Cynthia Day before moving to defer the decision.
Coun. Dean Jantzen said he agreed with Day and would support a motion to defer, but added he would also support moving the project forward as recommended by staff in recognition that the growing community will result in a greater need for public works resources in the near future.
Coun. David Grove said he too would support differing the decision, though from his perspective there was no need to defer and the project could instead move forward immediately.
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