Friendship Lodge Construction To Start In March

Wednesday, December 05, 2007 04:03 AM

Layout of Friendship Lodge with 17th Avenue on the left , and Queensway and the entrance on the top of the diagram

B.C. Housing is hoping to have a development permit for the Friendship Lodge by mid February, with a view to start construction by the end of March.

(image at right is the Queensway entrance to Friendship Lodge)

B.C. Housing can proceed with the project now that Prince George City Council has approved the rezoning of the property at 17^th and Queensway.

$4 million dollars has been allotted for the construction of the 29 unit transitional housing facility, that is for capital costs only and does not include the funding for the services which will be provided to the residents.

Vanmar Constructors out of Langley, has the contract to build the facility. BC Housing is still trying to find the information on when or if, this $4 millon dollar project was offered for tender. The selection of a contractor was made before the property was rezoned, in an effort to "expedite the process" says B.C. Housing's Sam Rainboth.

The sub trade contracts will be awarded to local contractors.

If you try to visit the Vanmar Constructors website, you will find the site is, "under construction."

The Friendship Lodge is expected to be completed and ready for tenants in the early spring of 2009.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 04:03 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: lunarbase on December 5 2007 7:45 AM

To the people who tried to oppose this facility it was a valid attempt to actually use the democratic process but you still had faith your government at the local and provincial level actually worked that way. It was obvious as soon as this was announced and how deconstruction started on the old site that this project was going ahead no matter what. This is just another example that it was all planned out ahead of time.

The Seniors complex being built down the street is also the subject of questionable purchasing / no tendering process as well.

Plus we all know what did happen with the gravel that the ice society made a profit from, on yours and mine tax dollar backs.

Posted by: metalman on December 5 2007 9:36 AM

Well it is a nice drawing of a building anyway. Our political masters only tell as much as they want us to know, so it should be no surprise that the fix was in on the location, the contractor, the design, everything. I do not know this contractor, hopefully they are a good outfit. I would have to wonder why they want to work up here when there is so much opportunity and good mmoney to be made in the lower mainland right now. Usually, if an established company goes out beyond their base it is because they can make more money doing so, or that they have worn out their welcome in their home town. Time will tell.
metalman.

Posted by: Moses on December 5 2007 9:54 AM

The mentality of the opposition lobby was well represented at City Council on Monday night by the guy what blew the penny whistle, and fingered the Mayor.

A classy and professional way to 'use the democratic process'.

Posted by: BMcB on December 5 2007 11:01 AM

No, the opposition lobby was not well represented by the whistle blowing fingering individual. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior manifests itself by a small fraction on both sides in any contraversial issue. Those with any insight will look beyond this behavior to get to the real issue.

From going to the public meetings the majority of the opposition were in favor of this type of facility, a facility to assist those with substance dependencies who want to help themselves. But not in a location where you can walk out onto the street and get your hit. I see drug transaction at 17th and Queensway all the time. The 7-11 has gone to prepay gas and restricted access to the building due to the drug activity. The residents of the area had legitimate concerns.

Unfortunately, after 33 years in the public service, I must admit this was the worst abuse of the public consulation process I've ever seen. The property purchases, millions committed to the site, site specific architectural, tenders called, all before the public review process.

As it's a done deal, I sincerely hope the facility is successful for both the clients and residences.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 5 2007 11:37 AM

Well said BMcB!

Posted by: Harbinger on December 5 2007 11:38 AM

How does one get a suite there? Best hard luck story? By a draw? Free tickets to the attending homeless when the tickets are given out in a set time? Can't get receipts from living in a dumpster so no "residency checks" in order? Out of towners take priority? Need to know or have connections with someone who can pull strings at the Friendship Centre? It was said the residential tenancy act will be used. It is my understanding that one can only be evicted for damaging the place or not paying the rent. As long as the residents of this potential place can be pull off a modum of decorum, then I believe anything and everything will occur there. Will there be a permanent parking place out front or back for RCMP vehicles and/or an ambulance? Given the history of other homeless shelters. Indefinite stays? Wow! In yer element and being comfy too. If it is too nice there, what would be the incentive to move on? NONE!!! Snuff the flame and the moths will go elsewhere. Not die. Just go elsewhere. Simple as that. I rest my case. For now.

Posted by: Bridge on December 5 2007 12:05 PM

As long as we continue to put out the brush fires while the forest is burning we will not overcome the stupidity of City council.

We have a number of organizations in the city of various interest gruops. Air quality, the Northt Necheko group and how many others that are trying to get council to listen to them. The big problem is that they are all divided and thats were council wants them.

Untill we come up with a vision as to what we want our community to look like and all work together on that goal we are peeing up wind. And I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

They hang a few flower baskets on the bypass and they think we have a community in bloom. When you drive around town there are boulovards that are covered with last winter sand and gravel. We have a maintenance bylaw but its never enforced.

Our council needs to be involved with the community but all they are concerned about is the economy. The golf course is a prime example of mismanagement That has already been outline by Ben on another post

What we need first is too clean up the entire city and give us a little pride in where we live.A community where people want to live.We would then be able to talk to the bone heads at city hall.

Cheers

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 5 2007 1:00 PM

All true Bridge,but what is really needed is a new council!
One that has some idea about what the cummunity really needs, instead of the haphazard way they seem to do things now.
Seems this council has a problem with marching to the sound of their own drum rather than listening to those that elected them,and interested groups who have some great ideas,but are mainly ignored!
They will never know what people want and need if they never bother to ask!
Not an unusual situation with politicians who stay to long at the trough!

Posted by: Death to Socialism on December 5 2007 1:14 PM

What the hell is a "Friendship Lodge" anyhow?

Death to Politically Correct Jibber-jabber!

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 5 2007 10:30 PM

metalman .. "..Usually, if an established company goes out beyond their base it is because they can make more money doing so, or that they have worn out their welcome in their home town.."

It is in the extras. The jail was tendered at 22 million and came in after extras at 44 million, and then two years later another 12 million was needed to fix up the moldy insulation. The out of town outfits have this stuff down pat. Just bid it to get the job, they look for the extras and drawing mistakes to make a killing. The drawings are also done out of town, so it's a going to be the usual screw up.

Posted by: RRrabbitt on December 6 2007 7:10 AM

Mr. Cat... too true !!!

"Well, Jeeze... you didn't show any glass in those openings... we took it that you just wanted fresh air to blow thru there !"

Posted by: bitter on December 6 2007 6:58 PM

It makes me sick what this City put the people of the area through , and are still putting us through , When was the last sting operation ?? a finger and a whistle blowing was just letting off some steam out of a Area that is fed up, would you buy a house in our area to live in as a home ?, the flippers are haveing a ball.