If private individuals want to donate toward fixing up the sa国际传媒 Parliament Buildings, they should not be discouraged, but the government should not count on charity to fulfil its responsibilities.
The legislature complex is an architectural and historical treasure that belongs to all British Columbians. It is not a misuse of public funds to keep the buildings in sound condition. In fact, it is the duty of the legislators to do so.
It isn鈥檛 as if the sad state of the 118-year-old buildings is a surprise. A 2005 engineering report outlined a variety of problems, a major one being seismic vulnerability. The structures are at a high risk of collapse in even a moderate earthquake. The complex has a lack of sprinklers, out-of-date fire detectors, inadequate emergency exits, obsolete power systems, unsatisfactory plumbing and a copper roof in poor condition.
In 2013, engineers said the legislature鈥檚 dome was twisting toward collapse, so a measuring device was installed to track the dome鈥檚 movements.
Engineers say the brick drill hall on the legislature grounds next to Menzies Street is mostly unfit for occupancy. That is bad news for those using the government and media offices housed in the hall, which is about five years older than the legislature.
The cost of restoring the buildings to satisfactory condition is estimated at $250 million. As anyone who has ever tackled renovations knows, the actual cost will likely be much higher. As work begins, more problems will likely be uncovered.
MLAs in successive governments have been reluctant to tackle the repairs for fear they will be criticized for looking after their own workplace when vital public buildings 鈥� schools, for examples 鈥� are in need of seismic upgrades and other work.
But this isn鈥檛 about creating luxurious accommodations for MLAs, it鈥檚 about making the irreplaceable buildings safe and preserving the most valuable component of sa国际传媒鈥檚 built heritage. Dominating Victoria鈥檚 Inner Harbour, the legislative buildings are iconic, not only for the capital region, but for the whole province.
They are more than a tourist attraction. We treasure our form of government, and it should be housed appropriately. That鈥檚 what British Columbians thought in the 19th century, when the government operated from the 鈥淏irdcages,鈥� ramshackle wooden buildings that were notorious for drafts and leaks.
The new structure was authorized by the Parliament Buildings Construction Act in 1893. A design competition was launched; Francis Rattenbury, 25 years old and recently arrived from England, submitted the winning design.
The project had many problems, including the final cost 鈥� at $923,000, it was nearly twice the original estimate 鈥� but a magnificent structure was the result, and it has been the home of government since 1898.
MLAs come and go, but the legislature endures as a tangible symbol of the province of British Columbia. It is not irresponsible to spend tax money to ensure the buildings are in good repair; in fact, it is irresponsible not to do so.
It was Speaker Linda Reid鈥檚 idea to explore the concept of private donations to the legislature. Perhaps she should have thought of the needed repairs before she spent $48,000 on a custom computer for the Speaker鈥檚 space and $20,000 on new drapes for her office and the legislature dining room. Those are pennies compared to the total cost, but frugality starts with pennies. When the basic structure needs fixing, last year鈥檚 drapes can be endured a while longer.
A 10-year capital plan is in the works to map out the needed work. That plan should not only seek to repair the ravages of time wrought upon the Parliament Buildings, but should include keeping the complex in good repair for the next century.
Let philanthropic British Columbians donate whatever they wish, but the repairs are the responsibility of government and should not wait for charity.
