Princeton’s new public works yard, to replace the one destroyed in the November flood, will be located in the town’s Industrial Park on Laurie Curry Way.
“It’s out of the flood zone and it’s a better location,” said Mayor Spencer Coyne.
The previous works yard was beside the Tulameen River on Harold Avenue.
The $1.5 million cost of the new facility will be covered by insurance, according to Town of Princeton director of finance James Graham.
Additionally, there are numerous pieces of equipment and vehicles to be replaced for public works, also covered by insurance.
“Our sweeper truck, that’s totally ruined,” said Coyne. “We lost some pick up tricks, we lost our little sweeper. We lost a lot of big and equipment and a lot of little equipment, like hand tools.”
At a recent meeting council approved a $51,600 contract, awarded to Gold Star Fencing from Okanagan Falls, to provide 1,200 metres of fencing for the new yard.
Coyne said the new equipment building will be a steel framed, tarp covered structure. A permanent trailer will serve as an office for employees and a new shop will be constructed.
Presently the surviving public works equipment is scattered around town.
“We have equipment at the fairgrounds, we have stuff behind town hall, and stuff at the fire hall…We are borrowing a shop to use, because we don’t have one right now,” Coyne said.
Related: Town of Princeton has millions of dollars in flood insurance claims
Related: B.C.’s flooding was ‘most costly’ severe weather event ever for province: insurance experts
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