The District of Kent has turned down an offer to buyout the restoration of Pioneer Park, from the Wayward Pines Production company.
Part of the agreement when the filming was being discussed, was that the production company would completely restore the park to its previous splendor once they were done shooting. Now that the filming is done, the production put forward a friendly offer for the district to buyout that responsibility and fix the park themselves.
But staff advised council against it, for a few different reasons explained in council chambers Monday night. Firstly, there will be no way to estimate the cost of the repairs until the entire filming facade has been removed, weeks from now. Second, this is one of the busiest times for District work crews, who are busy taking care of their usual maintenance and spring work.
So, the job would have to be put out to tender — a long process that would delay the restoration of the park. Council voted unanimously to turn down the offer.
Coun. Holger Schwichtenberg and Mayor John Van Laerhoven were absent from this week's meeting.