Rodent infestation at former Victoria, B.C. tent city
The province says crews haven't been able to conduct soil remediation and testing because of pest problem. Officials estimate $1.3 M has been spent in managing and cleaning up the site so far.
Residents moved out of the site several weeks ago, but major cleanup work needs to be done.
CBC News ·
Fencing surrounds the former tent city site next to the Victoria courthouse. (Megan Thomas/CBC)
Social Sharing
A rodent infestation is slowing efforts to clean up the site next to Victoria's courthouse.
The area remains behind a fence now, but for months it was home to dozens of people who lived in the contentious tent city.
A pest trap set up on the site. (Megan Thomas/CBC) The tent city was shut down several weeks ago as residents moved into shelters and transitional housing in the region, but a rodent infestation was discovered when crews moved in. Pest control work is now underway to try and eradicate the problem.
The province says it has spent approximately $1.3 million to manage the site since December, 2015.
That includes fees spent on garbage collection, security, water and other services, as well as fencing and demolition.
Once the rodents are gone, provincial officials say they will start testing the soil.
At the moment there is no firm plan for the site, but discussions are underway between the province, the city and local residents.
