LAC LA BICHE - The Emergency Vehicle Operational Course (EVOC) tendered by Lac La Biche County in September 2024 is being retendered with a simplified course plan to bring the project back into budget.
The EVOC will be used by peace officer cadets at the Law Enforcement Training Centre in Lac La Biche, as well as by other law enforcement personnel, fire fighters, and paramedics across Alberta.
According to council documents, Lac La Biche County had previously approved a total of $4.2 million for the project with the total sum being borrowed. They received two bids.
“It came back way, way over budget, and the design was quite elaborate, so we cut back on all the design parameters and council requested to re-tender it with the new design parameters and the new scope of work,” said Lac La Biche County CAO Manny Deol, referencing discussions that took place during an in camera session, which was part of the Jan. 14 council meeting.
The motion for the new tender removes three hills, electrical work, one of the asphalt tracks, and subgrade stabilization and excavation.
The drawings included in the agenda package show a seven-acre paved rectangle and adjoining off-road space and one-way mud track.
According to Deol, the revised estimate is around $1.98 million.
A motion to approve retendering the EVOC was carried with unanimous support.
According to Deol, construction is expected to be completed between May and September.
