GALLAGHER LAKE — Marie Sylvest, 73, endured months of noise and dust from nearby construction. Now the south Okanagan resident is facing a large bill to fix cracks and other damage to her home.
“It’s not just cracks between the joints; it’s cracks between the roof and the walls — it’s everywhere,” says Sylvest.
The problem started last spring, when developer Norterra of Deer Park, a mobile home park near Gallagher Lake, began expansion work to add 30 more spaces for mobile homes.
It hired MMM Group to do compaction work.
Sylvest says the construction caused her home to rattle.
“It was constant, the pounding,” she says.
When all that work was done, several properties were left with cracks.
MMM Group sent a letter to Sylvest saying: “it is likely that some of the damages are related to vibratory compaction work.”
But it goes on to say that her home isn’t close enough to the construction site to receive compensation.
The company did hire a contractor to repair the damages to five homes, which are all just across the street from Sylvest’s home.
John Leslie is one of the people who had his home repaired.
When asked about his thoughts about Sylvest not receiving the same compensation, he candidly says “I think it’s a crock of s***.”
Sholvest has been told that it will cost more than $4,000 to repair the cracks.
She continues to correspond with both MMM Group and Norterra and isn’t giving up without a fight.
Global News contacted both companies for comment, but neither of returned our calls and emails.
Comments