The Fraser-Cascade School District is spending about $800,000 to build a new bus maintenance facility in Hope.
A 5,850 square feet (543.48 square metres) building will be constructed on a vacant lot adjacent to the district administrative office to replace the existing 50-year-old structure near the Gardner Chevrolet Pontiac Buick GM dealership.
“It’s an aging facility that’s outdated and doesn’t meet our needs anymore,” said secretary-treasurer Natalie Lowe-Zucchet.
“It was long overdue. It would need a ton of work to bring it up to today’s standards. This will definitely help minimize our operating costs.”
The new facility will have outdoor stalls for bus parking, and be used for quick repairs and inspections. There will also be a maintenance shop, and offices for operations and technology support staff.
The district recently issued a tender for builders, with construction expected to break ground sometime before year-end.
Crews have already cleared and prepped the lot at 1250 7th Ave.
Bids are being accepted for tilt-up construction, roofing, structural steel, and doors and windows. Deadline for tender packages is Oct. 21.
For more information about the project, visit www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca.