Information bulletin
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich has charted a new course for the Saanich Operations Centre (SOC) Redevelopment Project. Following the Alternative Approval Process earlier this year which did not result in borrowing approval, Saanich Council has asked staff to report back with a revised project scope and timeline.

Council determined that the current borrowing plan would not be put to referendum due to the significant impact it would have on the project’s budget. Staff projected that inflationary escalation costs for the project would be approximately $400,000 per month delayed. These costs, when combining the time required to hold a referendum with the period necessary to re-establish procurement processes and other project elements, were seen to be prohibitive.

Next steps

Later this fall, Saanich staff will present Council with more details, including budget projections, to seek approval of a revised scope and timeline for the SOC Redevelopment Project.

It is anticipated that the phased approach with a reduced scope will result in the initial work being delivered at an immediately reduced cost. However, the overall budget needed for the redevelopment of the site could be higher over time, due to the loss of efficiencies derived from a coordinated project.

Project focus

In opting for a phased approach, the initial focus will be on the needs of core operations, including the redevelopment of key facilities directly involved in operational service delivery and the retention of the onsite yard and garden waste drop-off.

Project objectives beyond the facility revitalization, including residential components, will be delayed to a later phase and subject to future budget allocation and decision-making.

Learn more

For more details on the SOC Redevelopment Project and its next steps, please visit saanich.ca/socplan or HelloSaanich. 

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca