Just one permit stands between Fernie and West Fernie being able to start construction on a new transfer station, after 15 years arguing over where it should be.
The new transfer station was discussed at the Electoral Area A town hall meeting on Tuesday night last week.
Electoral Area A Director, Mike Sosnowski is optimistic that construction on the transfer station will begin in the spring.
The transfer station will be built on Crown land across from the Home Hardware on Highway 3, which is also known as the tower site.
Sosnowski said that the region has been working on the construction of a transfer station in the area for over 15 years.
“Multiple committees were formed over the years to help select a site for the transfer station, but every time they found a site there was always controversy,” he said.
Sosnowski said they have now met all the various political standards including consulting with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Highways.
“I don’t see anything holding it back this time,” said Sosnowski.
The tower site was the original site selected 15 years ago.
“It would have cost $1.2-million then, and it’s going to cost $4.5-million now because of the changes in construction costs,” he said. “Every time it’s delayed, the price goes up.”
An archeological assessment is in the process of being completed, which is needed before construction starts in the spring.