February 27, 2012

Capital spending breakdown for B.C. budget

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

The 2012 B.C. Budget is expected to invest about $19.2 billion in capital spending on public infrastructure between 2012-2013 and 2014-2015.

The capital plan allocates $1.4 billion for investments to maintain, renovate, expand and build new K–12 facilities, including the program to seismically upgrade or replace schools.

More than $300 million will be invested during the period for maintenance.

New priority investments in the budget include:

Two new secondary schools to replace the existing Belmont Secondary School in Langford and create a new secondary school in Colwood;

A new elementary school in East Clayton, in the Surrey School District;

A new elementary school in West Kelowna.

Budget 2012 will invest $1.8 billion in capital spending for post-secondary institutions, which includes the replacement and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

More than $260 million will be invested to upgrade emergency lighting and fire alarm systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The annual facilities grant for maintenance is $110 million in 2012-2013.

Capital spending in the health sector will total $2.3 billion over the next three years, which includes investments in new construction and upgrading of health facilities.

More than $300 million will be invested during the plan period to upgrade hospitals.

These investments include improvements to building components and equipment such as nurse call and fire alarm systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Print | Comment