Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson –

“Nearly a year ago, there was dry ground and your typical South
Okanagan terrain as far as the eye could see. Since that time we have
seen incredible changes – we now have the framework of a great
structure built with the best environmental standards and green
technologies to protect the local landscape. We are seeing some of the
results of a strong relationship between British Columbia and the
Osoyoos Indian Band. We see the hard work of the many contractors and
employees who are busy building what will prove to be a state-of-the-
art correctional centre for those of our citizens who are on their path
to a new beginning.”

OLIVER – With a year under the construction belt at the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC)

building site, the milestones and pounds of cement poured are plentiful. From fencing to

footings, this nearly $200-million project is generating local jobs, community development and

provincewide interest.

Progress by Numbers:

• More than 665 concrete trucks have delivered approximately 28 million pounds of

concrete to the worksite to date.

• There is almost 4,000 feet of construction fencing surrounding the OCC worksite.

• So far 10,500 m2 of lumber, 3.8 million pounds of steel, 61,000 feet of plumbing and

2,800 pounds of nails have been used.

• Over 100,000 hours have been logged on-site to date.

• More than 375 people have worked on the project’s construction since groundbreaking –

with around 1,000 direct and indirect jobs expected to support the build by completion.

• Thirteen separate contracts have been awarded to local businesses to date, worth a total

of $115 million.

• Almost 800 people have attended information sessions aimed at helping job seekers

prepare for correctional centre job openings at the OCC, with more sessions to follow

this fall.

Quick Facts:

• The OCC – a 378-cell, high-security facility – will be approximately 300,000 sq. ft. and will

consist of multiple low-rise, interconnected buildings built to LEED Gold certification.

• Once complete, the approximately $200-million high-security centre will represent the

largest value project to date for BC Corrections and more than double capacity in the

region.

• The OCC site is located on a 36-acre site in the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Senkulmen

Business Park, seven kilometres north of Oliver on Highway 97.

• This is the first partnership of its kind in Canada to build a provincial correctional centre

on First Nations’ land – a landmark agreement between BC Corrections and the Osoyoos

Indian Band.

• More than 240 full-time correctional officer jobs will be opening up in the region for both

experienced officers and new recruits.

• To keep B.C.’s economy diverse, strong and growing, since September 2011, the BC Jobs

Plan has been building on the strengths of the province’s most competitive sectors by

utilizing its educated and skilled workforce.