Cranbrook city council has defeated a request to increase funding for the RCMP building renovation design.
“The RCMP renovation project has expanded significantly since it was first proposed and requires additional funding to deliver the project to a tender-ready stage,” said public works director Tony Hetu.
Council had previously approved a budget of $522,279 for the assessment, design and planning of the RCMP renovation and the construction budget was set at $2,650,000.
MORE: Cranbrook council approves advance budget for RCMP building design and renovation (Dec. 15, 2023)
The scope of the project has changed drastically, with an additional $150,000 for the design and a total project cost of $9,975,000 including a 25 per cent contingency.
“When this project first came to the table I would argue that the project itself was more than anyone on council wanted to spend on an RCMP building,” said councillor Mike Peabody.
“Now to see that before the project has really kicked into gear we already have to increase the budget is getting a little scary.”
The funding increase was denied in a 5-2 vote. Mayor Wayne Price and councillor Lynnette Wray were the lone votes in favour.
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@myeastkootenaynow.com.
