BC Housing defends decision for fancy glass in new building

Minister unavailable for comment on $1.1M renovation

Politicians are treading lightly on the subject of BC Housing’s costly office renovation in Penticton.

As revealed exclusively by The Herald on Tuesday, the agency spent $1.1 million last year on the renovation for its 20 staff, who now sit surrounded by custom-designed glass walls that accounted for nearly half the bill.

Those same walls could have been done with studs and drywall for a quarter of the cost, according to a construction estimator contacted by The Herald.

BC Housing argued the move to space it owned on Winnipeg Street was required because it outgrew its former home on Nanaimo Avenue and would save $28,000 annually on lease payments alone, plus other expenses.

Housing Minister Selina Robinson was travelling Tuesday and unavailable for an interview, according to her staff. The ministry instead replied to a request for comment from The Herald with an unattributed statement defending the upgrade.

“This move and renovation was necessary to ensure staff are working in an appropriate environment to deliver their significantly increased mandate as a result of this government’s historic investments in housing across British Columbia,” the statement said.

“Moving into a building owned by BC Housing will eliminate lease costs. Renovation costs were within budget and BC Housing staff went through a public procurement process to identify the best use of money when they selected a contractor and renovation materials.”

Penticton MLA Dan Ashton, whose Liberals were in power when the renovation was approved in December 2016, noted the spending decision was made internally by BC Housing.

Ashton declined to comment directly on that spending decision, “Although I think most people realize I’m fiscally conservative and always would like to see available funds put into something that makes a difference — not only to those employed but to those in need.”