Detainees will be shipped out of Squamish while cells at the District of Squamish-owned RCMP building undergo upgrades to reduce security risks and the possibility of prisoners committing suicide while in police custody.
Squamish council on Tuesday (July 26) authorized $72,733 to retrofit eight cells at the station at Highway 99 and Industrial Way. According to the district's report, the upgrades have to be completed by the end of 2012 as directed by the RCMP's Asset Management Unit. Issues identified with the cells relate to security risks and potential suicide opportunities for detainees.
"It is required by the RCMP that we proceed as quickly as possible in order to prevent any Squamish detainees from injuring themselves," states the report prepared by the DOS facilities department.
The cells will be closed for the duration of the project, which will force Squamish police to transfer detainees to Whistler or the Lower Mainland. Additional transportation charges will be incurred, stated the report, but closing the cells is the quickest way to complete the upgrades.
The project is expected to cost a total of $87,551.64, which includes $5,000 for detainee relocation. The report did not say how long it's expected to take to complete the work.
Park's playground to coincide with upgrades
New Stan Clarke Park playground equipment will be installed at the same time that landscaping takes place next year, DOS officials said.
At a special business meeting on Tuesday, councillors ordered the installation of a new playground to coincide with the planned $495,000 upgrades slated for the park.
Brian Barnett, general manager of engineering and parks, assured council that although Habitat-Systems Inc. won the bid for the construction of the playground in June, the approximate $70,000 price tag will not change. This summer, Squamish was awarded a $375,000 provincial grant for the creation of the new "destination park." The preliminary design connects Stan Clarke Park and Cenotaph Park with a paved walkway, built to accommodate market and artisan vendors when desired. Connecting the downtown parks was a key objective highlighted when officials sought the community's input on a potential park upgrade.
Welcoming the women
The District of Squamish is waiving the rent for an upcoming forum on increasing women's participation in municipal government.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities originally scheduled the two-day workshop to take place in June in Whistler. However, the federation is rescheduling the event due to poor sign-up, Coun. Corrine Lonsdale told council Tuesday (July 26). Now, with more interest backing the event, organizers are hunting for a location, she said.
"Part of Squamish being a better location depends on cost," Lonsdale noted, adding that the event's subject matter is valuable.
It's proposed that the forum take place at the Squamish Seniors Centre on Sept. 24 and 25. Council unanimously agreed to waive the $1,475.22 bill for two days' worth of renting space at the centre.
