Work on the UBC Okanagan excavation in downtown Kelowna for a highrise has been "voluntarily reduced."
(ROB MUNRO / iNFOnews.ca)
February 08, 2024 - 4:47 PM
Construction work on the excavation of the UBC Okanagan downtown Kelowna campus has been slowed following structural damage to a number of neighbouring buildings in recent months.
“They reduced the site activity voluntarily and are examining the appropriate solutions for stabilizing the soil with their engineers,” the City of Kelowna said in an email to iNFOnews.ca today, Feb. 8.
Rumours had surfaced that the city had issued a stop work order but that's not the case, the city said.
“They cannot work on the adjacent (eastern) wall in any fashion unless it’s solely to fortify it,” one neighbouring resident, who didn’t want to be identified, said in a text message to iNFOnews.ca. “The only thing they can do is submit alternative plans which will need to assure the city that no further damage will occur.”
In October, structural damage was recorded on the Royal Canadian Legion and the Hadgraft Wilson Place housing complex across the alley.
In December, workers were forced out of the building across Doyle Avenue from the site and the Legion branch was closed over Christmas while it waited for engineering studies.
READ MORE: Workers in downtown Kelowna building forced out as UBCO digs deeper
The Legion posted on its Facebook page, today, Feb. 8, that it is closed for the foreseeable future and its meat draws will be held at Kelowna Curling Club.
UBCO is digging down four storeys for underground parking for its 43-storey highrise campus. The excavation was expected to be finished this month and work was to start on pouring a concrete liner.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2024