Improvements to the provincial building are slated to go ahead, after council voted unanimously to approve the project Tuesday.

Val Con partitions Ltd. was awarded the contract for $825,309,000 – about 20 per cent above the town’s expected tender price. Town Manager George Krefting said the municipality was able to shave $20,000 off of the project to save costs.

The project will provide improvements to about 400 metres of space in the Jasper Provincial building, and provide a new home for the children and family services department, community outreach, ParentLink and youth programming.

In an effort to speed up construction, council voted 5-1 to waive the two-week notice of request, which would have given the public a chance to comment on the decision. Krefting said it will take 16 weeks to complete the renovations, which would allow the town to move into the new building in December. The town’s current leases for CFS and community outreach run out in December.

Mayor Richard Ireland opposed the decision, noting that the public’s right to hear about the project was more valuable than saving a few week’s rent.

“This can save the public some money on lease payments, but it denies the public’s right to be here,” Mayor Ireland said.

The mayor supported the building.

Coun. Ralph Melnyk approved the project, but asked if the crews could be told to lessen disruptions to business, while Coun. Rico Damota asked why the work was being done at the busiest time of the year.

Krefting said the province is still completing its renovations, and while the town chose a different contractor, the two companies – Val Con Partitions and Brenex have worked together in the past.

“It’s a different consultant and contractor than the provincial work. The consultants have worked together,” Krefting said. 

As for the provincial work, Krefting said crews are moving quickly.

“The walls are up and the mechanical work is in. I don’t foresee any issues at all,” Krefting said.

Coun. Brenda Zinck said the work was overdue.

“When did we start on this? Four years ago? Let’s get on with it,” Coun. Zinck said.