Arrogant B.C. Liberals Bungle B.C. Place Roof Project
New Democrat MLA Harry Bains says the B.C. Place roof project announced today is already starting to sound a lot like the botched Vancouver Convention Centre project.
Harry Bains
"This morning’s announcement was more hot air by Gordon Campbell with too few specifics and little transparency. Campbell has clearly refused to learn a lesson from his botched convention centre plans, which are costing British Columbians nearly $500 million in cost overruns," said Bains, the NDP critic for Olympics.
"When asked how much the newly-announced B.C. Place project would cost, Campbell refused to give B.C.’s taxpayers a figure, saying they will have to wait at least five months to find out. Nor did he specify exactly what renovations will be completed in time for the 2010 Olympics," Bains said.
Unlike the original plans to have the B.C. Place roof fully upgraded for 2010 Olympics, Gordon Campbell’s announcement this morning postponed the roof replacement to 2011 with renovations only to the existing facility for 2010 Olympics.
Bains said a 2006 report clearly told the Campbell government that the B.C. Place roof replacement needed to become a priority. But the government’s mismanagement of the project means a proper venue in time for 2010 Olympics is now highly unlikely.
"Gordon Campbell’s talk about his ‘vision’ for the B.C. Place for the next 25 years is simply not credible when his record shows he ignored all warnings about it in the last two years. Once again, Gordon Campbell’s arrogance and lack of transparency is hurting public interest," said Bains.
