Work starts on a new $22-million public works yard in 2022

District of Squamish will start construction on a new public works yard in the second quarter of 2022.

The new public works yard will be located on the northern portion of the district-owned land where the current works yard is.

Larger than the existing yard, it is expected to cost $22 million.

Fire halls at Valleycliffe and Garibaldi Estate and the public works yard are facilities that must be built in the next 1-3 years, the district says.

The current yard is facing several challenges as the buildings are at the end of life and beyond repair.

There are safety issues as the staff in the yard is forced to work in close proximity to large moving vehicles.

There is not enough office space and some staff has to work in sea cans.

Expensive equipment has to be stored outside, and maintenance of vehicles is also done outside.