Thursday – Directors will approve a contract being awarded to Greyback Construction for renovations to the Regional District Building in Penticton.

Cost: $550 thousand – with about 175 thousand dollars coming from gas tax revenue rather than taxpayers generally.

A redesign calls for a new single desk at the public entrance to make it easier for visitors to obtain help, plus moving desks/offices at the rear of the building to allow in more natural light. Other suggested improvements include energy efficiency upgrades and landscaping. More than 36 people work in cramped quarters at present.

The existing building was built in 1981 but needs upgrades and repairs. It is located at 101 Martin Street in the Peach city.

Directors had been divided on whether to plan for a new building or fix the old one.

A new building to perform the same service could cost $4 million – with the existing land and building worth about half of that.

Renovations would put all meeting rooms and lunch rooms at the front of the building, all offices on the north and south sides and general work areas, washrooms and utilities in the core allowing for a continuous hallway around the building.