Several BC Interior communities impatient for jail decision

By

SUMMERLAND (NEWS1130) – Four BC Interior communities are still waiting to hear where a new provincial jail will be built.

The province announced a year ago it was looking for a site for new 360-cell facility.

Summerland‘s mayor is growing impatient. Janice Perrino says council is about to fire off a letter to the attorney general, reminding her they’d like a decision soon.

“We just want to know. If it’s ‘yes’ we’ll handle it one way. If it’s ‘no,’ we’ll move on,” she insists.

The facility is being pursued by Summerland because of the 300 jobs it will create.

“The downward economic trend has been really tough on us. We are trying to move our community forward in the best possible way. It’s tough with this hanging over our head. We just want to know whether we’re getting the facility or not,” notes Perrino.

She admits there has been some opposition in the traditionally tourist town, estimating that only about 56 per cent of the population supports the jail. But she stresses the location of the proposed site has changed some minds.

“We said we don’t want to have prisoners traveling by our schools and through our downtown core. This facility would be located north of town and that would allay some of those fears,” she explains.

The Osoyoos Indian band, the Penticton Indian band and Lumby are also in the running for the jail.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today