Site testing begins Wednesday for the new $13.5 million 9-1-1 call-answer and police dispatch service centre coming to Commerce Circle off Vanalman Avenue in Saanich.
A drilling rig will collect a number of core samples and locals may experience noise and temporary traffic delays during regular working hours.
In October the Capital Regional District board approved borrowing up to $16 million for the new South Island Communications Centre, which included purchasing the 38,000 square-foot property – also the last undeveloped site in the industrial zoned Commerce Circle. The new centre will bring Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, Oak Bay and all local RCMP detachments under one roof.
The Wednesday geotechnical site investigation will define the soil conditions and depths to bedrock needed for future design work of a new facility. The post-disaster building will become the first point of contact for 9-1-1 callers on South Vancouver Island and will also house police dispatch.
reporter@saanichnews.com
