Why is N. Cowichan taking point on regional RCMP facility?
North Cowichan municipality decides to go ahead with the building of a new police facility on Ford Road at Drinkwater Road directly behind Walmart.
Transparency? Loan $48 million plus interest in millions – Capital Budget – $49,050,000 + Land – $2.2M five acres $51,250,000.
Biggest question of all is why is North Cowichan municipality taking on the major responsibility, borrowing and costs of what has become a regional RCMP detachment? Expanded to cover CVRD Areas A, B, C (Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill) in addition to CVRD Areas D and E (Cowichan Bay, Sahtlam, Glenora, Cowichan Station).
To now include Forensic Identification Services and South Island Traffic! These are regional services!
North Cowichan is only a smaller portion and should pay proportionately, accordingly and not be expected to carry the costs, construction with triple the size and parking requirements as well as the potential risk and liability of an IPD (integrated project delivery) with required bonds, insurance, cost overruns.
MNC supplying the land is an excessive cost; five acres for $2.2 million = $440,000 per acre?
There will likely be a cost not a dollar benefit from the existing detachment on Canada Avenue.
Why can’t the RCMP detachment be located on CVRD or Reserve land? Sited along the Trans Canada Highway instead of the congested TCH/Drinkwater Road 80 km speed zone access?
North Cowichan claims as a priority to promote public engagement and yet with the recent AAP (Alternate Approval Process), which is equal to negative billing in the private sector, the real facts were not made available.
RCMP should be a regional responsibility — not purview of North Cowichan.
Joyce Behnsen
North Cowichan
