Clock repairs proving costly
There’s no cheap fix to Vernon’s clock tower.
The device at 32nd Avenue and 31st Street hasn’t worked for about four years, and it could cost between $8,400 and $30,000 to get it back up and running.
“It’s a tough decision,” said Coun. Shawn Lee of the price tag.
“But something has to be done.”
Installing an electronic unit will cost about $8,400 while a local resident says he could refurbish the current mechanism for $30,000. The city would pursue a heritage grant if the existing system is preserved.
“It would be nice to keep the old mechanism from a heritage perspective or we could say we’re in the 21st century and go electronic,” said Lee.
Lee has pushed for the clock to be fixed because he doesn’t believe the current situation reflects well on the city and it frustrates residents wanting the correct time.
The clock was part of Vernon’s 1912 post office, which was demolished in 1959. It was installed in the tower, in front of the Greater Vernon Museum, in 1967.
One city employee was responsible for maintaining the clock but he retired a few years ago and the city has not had specialized clock expertise since then.
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