The city of Williams Lake is likely going to see a massive bill as a result of the former Pioneer Complex reverting back to the city due to unpaid taxes.
The property has seen its share of issues over the years, beginning with Thompson Rivers University (formerly Cariboo College) relocating after structural issues related to land slippage in the area.
The idle property was purchased and operated for a number of years by Pioneer Family Land Partnership which then auctioned it off in Edmonton, Alberta for $725,000. The property was then the site of a suspicious fire in November of 2020.
The property has now reverted ownership to the city after taxes remained unpaid for three years. The city, as the new owner, owes $60,888.15 in unpaid taxes, including penalties and interest charges. This, however, may be the tip of the iceberg of financial issues the city will have inherited with the problematic property.
In order to deal with the condemned building on the site, city staff are already estimating a potential price tag of over $1 million to demolish and dispose of the building itself.
City council discussed the report of the chief financial officer which recommended the council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs allow the city to write off the seemingly uncollectible property taxes.
Coun. Scott Nelson spoke on the potential "big bite" the city may have to take financially and later in the same meeting he pushed for reducing the city's current budget in order to lower projected tax increases. This is a new development which could have further implications for the city's budget.
City staff have not yet gained access to the site, but Gary Muraca, chief administrative officer for the city, said they won't enter the building until they are sure it is safe.
"There is hazardous materials potentially in the building," he said, noting the type of concrete in the structure also poses an issue for disposal.
In the meantime, the city will have to maintain the property and try to keep it secure.
"The city taxpayers are now on the hook for that building," said Muraca.
He said city staff will work on a plan to risk manage the building and then begin the process of hiring consultants to provide a plan for demolition.
Coun. Angie Delainey suggested looking at creative solutions for dismantling the building in order to reduce costs and potential uses for the site down the road.
Muraca said there will have to be a lot of thought going into what the city will do to deal with the property in the most cost-effective way.
He added the city is on the clock already, as the site is now considered a derelict building and therefore the city will have to work fast in order to remain compliant with their own bylaws around derelict and abandoned buildings.
With files from Monica Lamb-Yorski
