The provincial government says the best location has been found for a new Okanagan prison.
A 360-cell correctional facility will be constructed on Osoyoos Indian Band land seven kilometres north of Oliver. Also in the running for the prison was Lumby.
“We are currently completing the $185-millionphase one expansion plan and today’s announcement begins the next phase,” said Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond Monday.
“The Okanagan correctional centre will add new cells and more corrections officers and will go a long way toward addressing capacity needs in the system.”
The ministry states the Osoyoos band’s plan was selected after a “thorough evaluation of sites proposed by two communities and two bands.”
Key considerations included project costs, zoning, environmental impacts, accessibility to major transportation routes and the projected completion date.
Construction timelines and a projected completion date will follow the development of the comprehensive business case during the ongoing planning phase. The project will be assessed for procurement as a public-private partnership.
