Whitehorse council OKs design contract for new operations complex

Whitehorse city councilhasvoted to get the ball rolling on a new $56 million building consolidation project,despite some councillors' concerns about how they'll pay for it.

A majority of councillors voted Tuesday to take the initial step ofhiringToronto firm Rounthwaite Dick and Hadley Architectsto design a new municipal services complex, at a cost of $2.1 million.

• Whitehorse council: Should we spend $2M to design a building we can't afford?

But, the decision came only after an hour of debate.Councillors Dan Boyd and Samson Hartlandwereopposed, arguing thatit's still not clear where allthe money will come from.

"Right from the get-gobefore we went out for proposal callsI said I would like to see our financial affairs in order," Boyd said.

"I would like to see our reserves re-set so that they reflect what we'll be taking from reserves and investing in this building."

The new operations complex wouldhouse the city's vehicle maintenance bay and transit buses.

Deputy mayor RobFendrick admitted that, "we don't have all the finance numbers," but said the project has to start.

"I'm an accountant, for God sakes. I mean, I'd love to have all the numbers, but we don't have them. We're notgoing toget them until we get a final design," Fendrick said.

"I don't mind deferring for due process, but I've seen a lot of due process on this project."

In the end, councillors voted in favourfive votes to twoto start the design work.