By ROY WOOD
Oliver will finally get a RV sani-dump after council this evening approved about $120,000 in funding for excavation and other related work. The dump, where recreational vehicles can empty their grey water and sewage tanks, will be located on about 10,000 square feet of airport lands just behind the Canadian Tire store.
The plans are for a $10-per-use charge. Operations director Shawn Goodsell told council that charging for use would allow his staff to monitor usage and would allow the project will pay for itself. Mayor Martin Johansen said that he had been reluctant to support an earlier proposal for a sani-dump near the town works yard. But the airport location, just behind Southwinds Mall, will increase tourist traffic and help local businesses, he said.
The lone dissenting voice was that of Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger, who said, “I’m not convinced it’s a driver of tourism.” He pointed out that people who bring RVs to town tend to stay in full-service campsites, which include their own dump sites. “The people who want this are local,” he said, who go camping in places without facilities and come back home and need to dump their grey and black water tanks.
Although the price tag is higher than the $95,000 budgeted for the project, Goodsell told council that savings from another sewer capital project will more than cover the overrun. The approximately $100,000 earthworks contract went to Mike Johnson Excavating of Oliver.
Rocky lundy says
I’m not sure just what is being built at the proposed Sani dump but $120,000.00 seems a little steep to me. Yes I am glad to see it on the plans though. As we travel the Merritt area often we dump at the Keremeos facility for $5.00 on the honour system and I’m sure this facility, which works just fine, did not cost 1/5th of that price! Not once have I seen anyone dump and run without dropping their $5.00 in the slot.
Publisher: Rock – what percentage of Oliver taxpayers have an RV that needs to use this facility – primarily 4 months of the year. Why should 85% of the people pay for this service without a chance of its use. I know, schools, pools, beaches, parks not used by all but paid for all. $5.00 today is less than half of a hog pulled sandwich. Two soup tins. $10 maybe $20 would be a better price on a user pay system.
Rocky Lundy says
Yes agree Jack – $5.00, $10.00 not a big issue. Just pointing out the comparisons. More to the point is the cost of installation-how much does this credit card operated system cost to install and maintain throughout the year eq monthly fees? Honour system seems to work very well elsewhere. Put simpler, is a deluxe Sani dump necessary or would a basic one satisfy both users and non user tax payers.
DONNA MCLEOD says
Excited to have the sani dump in our town!
$10.00 is a bit on the high end though as oyoos is free. But, will sure save time and wi definitely use.. Thank-you
Ray Odland says
I think $10 is a bit excessive for using a dump station. A lot of dump stations are free and very few we have seen are over $5.00.
Publisher: Money grows on trees right Ray? Not sure I should pay for an sani dump for locals or tourists. Soon some will say food should be free – like the foodbank.