A draft report into the state of public facilities says three major buildings housing protective services and public works warrant replacement in warning of services disruptions in case of emergencies.

This trio of facilities consists of the Parks and Public Works Yards, Fire Hall No. 2 on Elk Road and parts of the Public Safety Building housing the Saanich Police Department. B次元官网网址淥f these facilities, the Parks and Public Works Yard is the highest priority,B次元官网网址� it reads.

Titled the Strategic Facilities Master Plan, the report evaluates SaanichB次元官网网址檚 major facilities and offers a template for the next 20 years and beyond.

Harley Machielse, SaanichB次元官网网址檚 director of engineering, said in an accompanying memo to council that SaanichB次元官网网址檚 critical facilities B次元官网网址渁re clearly facing challenges and without capital investment over the next 20 years could potentially see service delivery critically impacted.B次元官网网址�

The public works yards appear to be a particular concern.

Located in the 1000 block of McKenzie Avenue, the facility B次元官网网址渋s the hub of the vast infrastructure networkB次元官网网址� from which Saanich co-ordinates B次元官网网址渆ssentialB次元官网网址� services including the provision of safe and clean water, management of the street grid, management of parks and open spaces, co-ordination of garbage pickup and disposal, maintenance of the municipal fleet and management of the storm water and sewer system.

While staff have worked out of the facility for almost 60 years, it has B次元官网网址渞epeatedly demonstrated shortcomings and potential risksB次元官网网址� during the past 20 years.

They include among others building code violations including the absence of fire sprinklers. A fire at the facility would be B次元官网网址渃atastrophic,B次元官网网址� the report reads. The facility also has inadequate communications and information technology, and vermin pose B次元官网网址渋ncreased health risksB次元官网网址� to both buildings and equipment.

B次元官网网址淕iven both the magnitude of deficiencies and the estimated repair costs for existing facilities, continued investment into these structures is not recommended,B次元官网网址� it reads. B次元官网网址淚nstead, redevelopment should be considered.B次元官网网址�

These recommendations also apply to Fire Hall 2. B次元官网网址淢ore than any other fire hall, Fire Hall [No.2] experiences pressing needs that have a significant impact on the entire district fire services operation,B次元官网网址� it reads. Its current footprint of 353 square-metres B次元官网网址渨ould require a significant expansionB次元官网网址� to accommodate four additional staff and their equipment.

B次元官网网址淭he business case to modify and renovate the present building is poor, given the building layout on the lot and other current deficiencies (conformance to standards, staff living quarters and training facility expansion needs),B次元官网网址� it reads.

A new facility would be B次元官网网址渇easibleB次元官网网址� on this site and construction would not impact operational use of the facility, it reads.

Saanich police facilities at 760 Vernon Ave. also leave much to be desired. B次元官网网址淥f greatest concern is the very low seismic capacity [16 per cent] of the headquarters area where operational first responders, critical equipment, senior staff and the office of chief constable are accommodated,B次元官网网址� it reads, in warning of potential service interruptions. B次元官网网址淭he risk to service delivery is high due to the current low seismic capacity.B次元官网网址�

Seismic capacity refers to the maximum inelastic load that a structure can withstand before collapse occurs, and building codes concerning seismic performance have changed dramatically, especially in the last 15 years. B次元官网网址淚n terms of building standards conformance, the current building code requires new facility construction at 150 [per cent] of the building codeB次元官网网址檚 seismic capacity,B次元官网网址� it reads.

The report B次元官网网址� quoting a consultant B次元官网网址� said the B次元官网网址渘umerous deficiencies at 760 Vernon create an unnecessary level of risk which should not be tolerated.B次元官网网址�

Practically, they mean the facility almost needs to double in size, along with other improvements that reflect current practices. B次元官网网址淢ost notable are the areas of evidence storage (located in the condemned firearms range which has not been replaced), accused holding, police vehicle storage, training and general building security, all of which require attention to meet the needs of today, and beyond,B次元官网网址� it reads.

The report B次元官网网址� which council received this week B次元官网网址� stresses the importance of these facilities.

B次元官网网址淚n almost any emergency, one or all three divisions of police (patrol), fire (suppression) and public works (road and underground crews) are likely to be called upon,B次元官网网址� it said. B次元官网网址淚n these circumstances, the protection and safeguarding of life and public safety is the highest priority.B次元官网网址�