South Okanagan

The District of Summerland remains bullish on the prospect of a Provincial Corrections Centre coming to the South Okanagan community.

Photo: Contributed

Summerland's prefered jail site is the gravel pit used during the highway widening project

It's the delay in making the announcement that has Mayor Janice Perrino frustrated.

The province announced in December, 2010, it would be building a 360 cell jail somewhere in the interior and asked communities to express their interest by April of last year.

A decision was expected from the Solicitor General's office shortly thereafter.

In June, Solicitor General, Shirley Bond, indicated she hoped to have a decision announced in the 'near future,' but appeared to leave the door open for a longer process.

"At the same time, it's important to recognize this is a historic, long term investment for both the province and the final chosen community," stated Bond at the time.

"We need to give all of our options careful consideration to ensure we get it right."

Perrino says the municipality is in the process of crafting a letter to Bond introducing the new council and asking when information may be forthcoming.

"It's very frustrating there's no doubt. We're at the point where we would just like to know one way or the other," says Perrino.

"The public wants to know and we were told we would hear a year ago. It's been far too long without any information so, that's where it's at."

Perrino says it's not just a matter of finding out the jail will be coming to the community one day and watching shovels dig up the site the next.

"There are so many things that would have to be done. It's a long list but you would never start anything until you were absolutely sure you were picked."

That list includes rezoning the property, public hearings and the process of issuing development permits.

Perrino did say she has heard there may be some form of announcement next week but adds she doesn't know if that means a final decision.

Summerland, Osoyoos, Penticton Indian Band and Lumby are all in the running.