Cranbrook city council approved an additional $80,000 for the installation of handrails at the Western Financial Place.
Council had previously allotted $65,000 for the handrails and city staff were expected to install them, however, recreation and culture director, Trevor Thors, said they realized later that they didn’t have the expertise needed.
“The initial intent was for city staff to install these,” he said.
“We had the stairs x-rayed and you can’t use a traditional type of drill, you would actually need to cord out, so it’s a special type of drilling and we don’t have that on staff.”
An additional $80,000 would be needed to pay a contractor to do the work.
The rails were first brought to council back in 2019, but the installation kept getting delayed.
“I appreciate the frustration from the community,” said Mayor Wayne Price.
“But it will be done now and you know what? It will be done right.”
The installation is expected to be complete by the start of the 2024/25 hockey season.
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