The contingency fund for the new, under construction, of Fire Hall #32 has dropped to $48,000 from $300,000. 

A staff report to council says it鈥檚 mainly due to unforeseen costs to move a BC Hydro power pole and overhead lines located in front of the fire hall. The cost to move them is 鈥渦pwards of $200,000. 

The report says another unanticipated cost is related to new legislative requirements that mandate flushable toilets and hot water be available for workers at job sites. These costs are estimated at $25,000 or more. 

According to the report, the city has also been provided with an updated appliance package that exceeds preliminary cash allowances. The impact is an additional $28,000. 

The report shows that cash allowances and estimates are running over budget, and a few change orders from contractors still don鈥檛 have final pricing. Staff is reviewing what's left in the cash allowances and contingency fund to find savings and lock in costs.

The new fire hall, being built in the Lakeview Heights neighbourhood, includes sports courts, a playground, pickleball facilities, a community centre building and a public green space.

It鈥檚 expected substantial completion of the project will now be six days overdue (Sept. 24), a change from the last update in January when it was deemed on track.

The cost for the new fire hall is $14.3 million. It includes $8 million being borrowed by the city, reserve funds ($3.8 million), parks development cost charges ($1.18 million), Growing Communities Fund ($1.17 million), and $150,000 from developer contributions.

In March 2024, West 琉璃神社 residents supported the city borrowing up to $8 million through the Alternative Approval Process to partially fund the project.