With the help of an excavator, representatives from the Province, Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), local community and construction partners donned hard hats and officially broke ground Friday to celebrate the construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC).
The OCC project will act as a catalyst for the local economy and create family-supporting jobs, generating approximately 1,000 indirect and direct jobs during construction. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2016 and, once the centre is operational, more than 240 new, full-time correctional positions will open up in the Okanagan.
Workers have been on the 14.5-hectare (36-acre) OIB site since early spring to protect the local habitat and prepare the site for major construction activities, expected to commence this August. Extensive work already is underway and continues on finalizing the design of the state-of-the-art centre.
OIB’s Chief Clarence Louie with Minister in charge of Corrections BC Suzanne Anton
Louie stressed that he wanted to do something special for the aboriginal offenders, inviting those who have worked in the legal system and restorative justice to address the crowd.
“This is a very exciting day for this entire region,” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson. “We are just thrilled about this project.”
“After many years of negotiations and planning it is good to witness the groundbreaking of this very important project for our region,” said Louie. “This project will bring many jobs during and after construction.”
Richard Burley, vice president, Plenary Justice told reporters: “Turning the first sod today connects the many stages of planning and preparation that have gone into the design for this green, energy-efficient and cutting-edge correctional centre in the South Okanagan. Plenary Justice is looking forward to engaging the local community and creating jobs as the construction gets underway on this significant partnership project.”
•Plenary Justice was announced as the preferred proponent for this project on Jan. 10, 2014, following an extensive evaluation of three teams that were shortlisted and invited to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and provide facilities management services for the OCC.
•The contract to build the OCC on OIB land is the first such partnership between the Province and a First Nation in B.C., laying 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 be designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification – an international recognition of efficient, sustainable building strategies and practices
A digital video released today shows viewers what the planned, secure centre will look like: https://vimeo.com/96036379
With 11 living units and 378 cells, the OCC will more than double corrections capacity in the region, further delivering on the Province’s pledge to build safer communities and protect public safety.
Numerous innovations in design and surveillance will offer enhanced safety and security for both staff and inmates.
Abundant natural light, improved indoor air quality and reduced energy consumption and water use are expected to lower the OCC’s operating costs over time.