Council approves roof upgrades for convention centre

City council on Tuesday gave the green light for repairs to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre’s roof.

In a unanimous vote, council approved an expenditure of $190,000 to fix parts of the PTCC roof and replace the existing skylights in the atrium area.

Manager of facilities Bregje Kozak said one area of the roof has been deemed a necessity for repair due to leakage and potential long-term damage.

The present skylights are not made of safety glass, which is now mandatory in updated construction code guidelines.

The roof repairs will greatly enhance safety to both PTCC staff and guests, Kozak said.

The funding will come from the “work order to transfer fund,” money from projects that were either stalled or came in under budget.

There’s nearly $190,000 available from that fund including $48,660 left over from the South Okanagan Events Centre LED lighting project.

(The SOEC LED lighting project created controversy for council in 2015 once discovered the city violated its own tendering policy by not putting it out to request for proposals.)

According to Kozak “the technology for the bulbs in certain areas in the (SOEC) building isn’t quite there and hasn’t been approved by the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and that part of the project has been carried over.”

Coun. Judy Sentes enthusiastically supported the upgrade.

“The community has long grieved the loss of use at our convention centre,” she said, blaming the decline in bookings on a lack of accommodation.

“With the advent of three new hotels, that will address that situation. It’s prudent that the facility be kept up to par, up to speed, inviting and safe.”

Kozak said work will begin once temperatures cool down, likely by the end of the month. RIDDLE ROAD In other business, council did not make a commitment on a request for Riddle Road fire protection.

City engineer Ian Chapman offered multiple options on how to fund the $172,500 project.

Chapman said ordinarily the developer pays for the service and in turn passes it along to the home owners. The situation in older neighbourhoods is different.

Chapman suggested this could be “precedent setting” as there are other low-density rural areas that are also unserviced.

Another option presented to council was purchasing “superior tankers shuttle truck service” for the fire department.

“Instead of pipe transporting the water to the fire you transport the water to the fire in a truck,” Chapman said. “It’s not a normal truck and it provides the same level of protection as a pipe.”

The cost of a specialized truck is about $250,000 each and it was suggested Penticton would need at least two.

Council agreed to delay any kind of decision until a detailed report is prepared. SMART MONEY Council approved a $5,000 cash grant to the Penticton District Community Resources Society to help fund the SMART program which provides “recovery coaches” for those looking to break free from drug and alcohol addiction.

Smart Recovery regional co-ordinator Judy Poole made a passionate plea to council sharing personal stories of her own son who had battled anxiety and depression and later found himself addicted to pills.

“This is a relatively small amount of money and it will save lives,” Poole said. “It will enhance the already existing wonderful services that are available in our community.”

Additionally, Raymond James will contribute $5,000 toward the $16,000 needed to train 15 coaches. Poole is approaching Rotary clubs to help with the remainder.

Coun. Helena Konanz, whose championed similar causes during her tenure with council, was among those who spoke in favour of the grant.

City staff said Poole’s request fit within the new “score-card” criteria of grant applications which council adopted earlier this year. JUST PEACHY Peachfest president Don Kendall made a brief presentation to council stating that the popular Peachfest float appeared in 22 parades this year including a major event in Seattle that was watched by two million spectators.

Thanking major sponsor Peters Bros. Construction, Kendall said Peachfest offered five days of “world-class entertainment” such as Trooper and The Powder Blues Band for free. Visitors were astonished, he said, that so much was offered for free.

Coun. Judy Sentes asked if there’s a succession plan in place for the Peachfest board of directors.

“Our board has very little turnover,” Kendall said, noting that several members are retiring this year.

“We are good at getting the positions filled. There are new people wanting on the board this year, but we’re not great for long-time succession.”

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit praised the festival, describing it as having “something for everyone.” CARMI RESERVOIR The Carmi Reservoir expansion project was unanimously approved.

Much of the $1.17 million project is being funded by a grant as per the clean water and wastewater fund agreement. The cost to the city is $325,550.

Rather than go into debt, council agreed to draw funds from the water surplus reserve which presently sits at $3.9 million.

Council was scheduled to reconvene in the evening for four public hearings plus several other agenda items.

Coverage of the evening portion of Tuesday’s meeting will be included in Thursday’s Herald.