Those anticipating the completion of the new RCMP building in Gibsons are going to have to wait a little while longer.
The project is suffering delays due to a number of changes in design requested by the RCMP, including an increase in size, reorganization of interior space for security reasons and additional cold storage space to be later transformed into a secondary room to house radio control equipment. A secondary site access point was also added.
The changes spur an increase in costs, but Ian Poole, director of finance for the Town, said it would be incremental.
"These changes pushed the total cost close to our borrowing limit; however we are still under budget," Poole said. "Should the costs increase, then who pays for the extra would depend on the reason for the additional costs. We do not anticipate the project to exceed our borrowing limit."
The Town has borrowed $2.3 million for the project in addition to providing land for the site. The completion date, previously set for September of this year, has now been pushed to spring of 2012.
Mayor Barry Janyk said there is disappointment, but construction delays are sometimes inevitable.
"All of council is obviously disappointed the RCMP did not have their end of the project resolved for whatever reasons," he said, but added his support for the local force.
"We have full confidence in Staff Sgt. Herb Berdahl and his great cadre of officers. We want this building up ASAP for the benefit of all."
The $4.5-million project originally began in November 2010. The current RCMP satellite building is decades old and can no longer serve the needs of the force. The Town foresees the growth in population to top 5,000, resulting in a need for more local policing and a better facility.
