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An inside look at life in the Site C work camp

WATCH: Behind-the-scenes at the Site C workers camp – Nov 16, 2018

This is part two in a three-part Global BC series examining the Site C dam. Read part one here and read part two here.

Imagine a remote job site where the steak dinners are unlimited and the bed is made for you. It does exist — in northeastern B.C.

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The work camp at the Site C dam near Fort St. John offers cruise ship-style amenities to the more than 1,300 people currently staying there.

READ MORE: B.C. First Nations seek injunction to halt Site C project on Peace River

It has a coffee shop, a lounge with craft beer, a theatre, gyms and personal trainers, tanning and hair salons and a kitchen that never stops.

“As long as you come up one at a time, you can absolutely have six steaks. There are a lot of big guys here who like to eat,” said executive chef Robert Varga.

PHOTOS: Behind the scenes at the Site C work camp

Everyone gets their own bedroom and washroom — perks that used to be unheard of in work camps.

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“Just the comfort of some of the appointments in the room are a lot nicer than a lot of the other facilities on the market. That’s purposefully done from an aspect of worker attraction and retention,” said facilities manager Brian Hussain.

WATCH: Concerns over land stability under Site C dam

The meals and most of the amenities are free, but a few, like the tanning salon, are pay-per-use.

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The wages at Site C are good. Heavy equipment operators earn between $35 and $45 an hour.

READ MORE: BC NDP to proceed with Site C dam, total cost raised to $10.7B

“I love my job. If you’re wanting to get money fast and work towards a career goal, I think this is the way to do it,” said Malia Salvas, a rock truck driver from Vernon.

WATCH: Behind-the-scenes tour of Site C dam construction

“For me, I travel. If I want to take off some time in the winter and put that money towards travelling, I’m happy.”

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The budget to build, operate and dismantle the work camp over nine years is nearly half a billion dollars.

It will be torn down after dam completion in 2024.

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