Stabilization work starts at Kelowna building site

KELOWNA — UBC Okanagan has announced stabilization work at the university’s downtown Kelowna construction site, where is excavation is underway for a 43-storey tower.

“Gravel will be placed and spread throughout the site over the next two weeks, raising the overall depth of excavation,” said UBCO, noting it is the last planned adjustment to the depth of the dig. The excavation is already shallower than originally planned after engineers ordered things go no deeper back in February.

The tower, planned for 550 Doyle Ave., has been mired in controversy after nearby buildings had to be evacuated due to the excavation creating problems.

Hadgraft Wilson Place and the Kelowna Legion Hall, both on Bertram Street, and Okanagan coLab at the corner of St. Paul and Doyle have been declared uninhabitable after foundation shifts and cracks were discovered.

Construction at the UBCO site has been halted for a little over one week after the city said reports indicated a safety risk for residents living in the neighbouring Hadgraft Wilson Place, a building for people with lowincome and disabilities.

On March 31, roughly 84 people at Hadgraft Wilson Place were told they would have to evacuate.

“We are advised by professional engineers that the shoring wall remains stable and that raising the excavation depth will also mitigate future soil settlement on adjacent land, including Hadgraft Wilson Place,” said UBC Okanagan.

UBC Okanagan said engineering teams will monitor soil conditions at the construction site as work proceeds.

Residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place, which is owned and operated by Pathways Abilities Society, are expected to be out of their homes for at least another week and a half.

Pathways executive director Charisse Daley said residents were allowed back on Tuesday for 10 minutes to grab a few items.

“Any work that they are going to undertake needs to ensure the stability of the building, not necessarily the progress of their project. Our priority is getting our tenants back into their homes,” Daley said.