Tracy Hughes
Black Press
The new North Okanagan-Shuswap School District education support centre cost taxpayers a total of $9.3 million.
A final total has been produced by secretary-treasurer Nicole Bittante, who noted the final bill was higher than original estimates due to increases in professional fees, changes and unexpected site-related issues.
The building, in Salmon Arm, combines four different school district work sites into one. It is handicapped-accessible, unlike the old downtown location.
That site has been put up for sale with an asking price of $800,000 as has the former South Canoe Elementary, which is listed at $500,000. The school district is also preparing to list the former district education centre in Salmon Arm.
Construction costs for the new building were $7,865,961, professional fees were $801,807 and equipment costs were $368,081.
The remainder includes costs for other related projects including the geothermal field, which was not included in the original estimates.
All costs for the building came from the school district’s capital budget and do not impact the operational budget.