According to a media release on Saanich’s website earlier today, “The Saanich Operations Centre – the hub for many of our municipal services – is aging and slated for redevelopment. A major milestone was reached with the acquisition of a nearby property, allowing Saanich to continue to make progress on this important project, reduce overall project costs and allow for smooth operations into the future.
“We are thrilled to announce that this complex and multi-faceted project is progressing,” said Mayor Dean Murdock. “The property we have recently acquired will reduce overall project costs as well as provide additional space for our operations, ensuring a high quality of service is maintained throughout this large redevelopment project.”
Why a new property?
The property – 4088, 4094 and 4098 Lochside Drive – is located close to the current operations centre (1040 McKenzie Avenue). Our goal is that this property will become Saanich’s new Parks Operations Centre in the next few years. Relocating Parks to a new site will free up the current site for investment in other uses.
Value for taxpayers’ dollars was also a key factor considered as part of this purchase. The property was recently developed in 2018 with fully functional offices, vehicle storage and a mechanic shop already located on site. This $25 million investment in a newer 3-acre property that meets our operational needs will allow us to progress the overall redevelopment project faster while saving on costly new construction. The new site can also be used while the current centre is being redeveloped to temporarily continue operations, resulting in fewer service interruptions and lower costs.”
To read the full release and links to the Operations Centre Project page, see Saanich’s media release on the purchase
