The B.C. government and Plenary Justice, the private partner for the OCC project, have signed a $192.9-million fixed-price, performance-based agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Plenary Justice will design, build and partially finance the construction, and provide facilities management services for the OCC for the next 30 years.

Now that the contract is in place, boots are on the ground to prepare the land for the OCC’s construction activities. Workers are removing the top layer of earth from the future construction zone, erecting fencing and ensuring environmental protections are in place for the local habitat and wildlife. Blueprints of the OCC building are in the final stages of design.

Construction is on schedule for this state-of-the-art correctional facility. Major construction activities are expected to begin in August, with completion anticipated in fall 2016.

The Province also has worked in partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) to expand and realign roads and services such as water, sewage, gas and geothermal, for the Senkulmen Business Park project site in order to accommodate the new correctional centre. This work stems from a contract signed with the OIB last February, which lays out the details of the land lease and utilities service for a 60-year period, plus an option for an additional 20 years.

The OCC will provide a boost to the local economy and create family-supporting jobs, generating approximately 1,000 indirect and direct jobs during construction. Following the project’s completion, over 240 new, full-time correctional positions will open up in B.C.’s Interior.

The high-security, 378-cell OCC will serve as the flagship of the second phase of government’s historic capital expansion plan for BC Corrections. The $185-million first phase of the plan, which is now complete, added 340 cells to B.C.’s capacity, delivering on government’s commitment to reduce correctional capacity pressures and enhance public safety.