Summerland’s mayor says she’s ready to move forward and build a new RCMP detachment.
This after a resounding 68% of residents voted yes in Saturday’s referendum.
Janice Perrino says the continued RCMP presence in the district is a good sign for Summerland, but she understands why residents were split on the issue.
“I think any time you ask taxpayers to consider paying more, it’s a tough question,” Perrino said. “Everyone has an opinion on how their money should be spent and I don’t blame them.”
The city’s current RCMP building is aging, has cramped work spaces and the cells have even been condemned.
But the cost of the new detachment, which is expected to be around $4.5 million, had recently come under fire, with some voters saying the proposed building is too large and the cost too high
for such a small community.
If the referendum had failed, the city’s policing services would likely have been moved to nearby Penticton, but many residents say they’re happy that isn’t going to happen.
The new RCMP detachment will be built on Pineo Court, which is already owned by the municipality.
Perrino says she hopes to have the new facility up and running within 18 months.
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