A new centralized FortisBC facility will not impact local staffing, according to the company.
FortisBC has received regulatory approval from the BC Utilities Commission to build a new Kootenay Operations Centre in Castlegar and will begin construction as early as May. Once complete, the new facility will centralize many key operations to better serve electricity customers in the region and replace facilities that have reached their end-of-life or are not large enough to house the regional centre.
“We anticipate 38 positions moving from Warfield – this will help us achieve the operational benefits of consolidating the network services group,” explained Nicole Bogdanovic, FortisBC corporate communications advisor. “Network services is responsible for the operation and maintenance of generation, transmission and distribution substations.”
The Warfield property was purchased in 1979 for warehouse and office use, she explained. It provides office and warehouse space and as well as truck bays and workshops for fleet operations.
“It will continue to be an important part of our operations and will provide space for functions like fleet operations, some network services and warehousing,” she adds. “Fleet operations manages vehicle needs and performs scheduled and emergency mechanical work for larger fleet vehicles.”
The procurement process is underway for the $22.4 million project planned for Ootischenia. The exact number of construction jobs can’t be determined at this time, but the project does represent a “significant long-term investment in Castlegar,” said Bogdanovic.