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February 23, 2017 - 4:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - Ground could break as soon as September for the Trans Mountain pipeline section being built near Kamloops and that will mean more jobs and fewer places to rent in the city.
Greg Toth, a senior director with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, was at city counci's meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, with an update following the pipeline's approval by the federal government and the impact it will have to the community, in particular the job force and accommodation.
Roughly 550 workers along with 60 construction managers from Kinder Morgan Canada will be on site for the pipeline expansion.
“I think in a centre the size of Kamloops we’re hoping to achieve 25 per cent local workers,” Toth said.
How many jobs that actually means is unclear. The number of jobs at any given time will vary, with 550 only being needed for a peak period of around three to four months. Some of those jobs are earmarked for local First Nations under a mutual benefit agreement between Kinder Morgan and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
The work centred around Kamloops is expected to start September with land clearing. The pipeline will be ready for testing by September 2019.
Workers won’t be hired directly though Kind Morgan, but through the contractors selected to do the construction.
Councillors are concerned about the impact hundreds of workers iwill have on an already tight rental market in the city. Toth said that the pipeline proponents looked at the options and due to Kamloops size, a work camp was deemed unnecessary here. Additionally, the peak period will be happening over a winter, outside of the peak tourism season, and hotels would be used, though Thompson Rivers University will be in session.
Coun. Donovan Cavers also brought up concerns about protests that could occur due to opposition to the pipeline. Toth is assured council Kinder Morgan is aware of the concern and is developing a confidential security plan.
An event is planned by Trans Mountain this evening at the Coast Hotel at 1250 Rogers Way from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017