Cost of renovations increase
Photo: Town of Oliver
Artists rendering of the new washroom that will be at Lions Park
Lions Park Washroom in Oliver will be receiving renovations at a higher cost than originally estimated.
The public washroom is being retro-fitted to be operational year round. The footprint of the building will also be expanded to increase the space and functionality of the new family washroom and two shower rooms.
All areas of the washroom will also meet accessibility standards.
Carol Sheridan explained to town council that this washroom is “the first stop in Oliver, it’s the first thing on the highway and is a very popular rest stop.”
She continued to explain that in the last eight years there have been significant changes to the way the park is used, with the skate park, the fitness equipment, the dog park, and people stopping on the hike and bike trail. Use of the washroom has increased significantly.
The facade of the building is also intended to fit in with the KVR train station, now the Oliver tourism building to bring some continuity to the town, explained Sheridan.
Oliver Town Council passed a motion to authorize money from the Growing Communities Fund to go towards the extra costs for the renovation of the popular washroom. The details on the additional funding required is $100,000 to $120,000.
The planned renovation had an original estimate of $220,000 for the project, which the town had secured full grant funding for. The money for this project was approved in the 2023-2027 Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Financial Plan earlier this year.
The costs of the project have increased and this extra funding from the Growing Communities Fund will cover 50 per cent of the extra costs up to a maximum of $50,000.
It was explained at the June 26 council meeting that the expectation is that the RDOS will contribute the same amount to cover the balance; there are also reserves through Oliver Parks and Recreation that can go towards the additional costs of the project.
Photos: Google photos
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