B.C. legislature dome needs refit, twisting, could cost millions

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VICTORIA – The golden statue of Capt. George Vancouver mounted atop British Columbia’s iconic legislature buildings in Victoria is on a shaky perch, and the rest of the building is in even worse shape.

An all-party legislative management committee heard today that the building’s green dome that holds up the statue is twisting and in need of repairs that could cost millions of dollars.

Legislative Clerk Craig James says engineers believe shifting and water damage is compromising the dome’s integrity and repairs are needed.

James says the good news is the estimate to repair the dome and secure the golden statue currently sits at $5.7 million.

But he says the costs could rise once work on the 115-year-old building starts and other deteriorating sections are discovered.

The legislature is already known as one of the least earth-quake proof building in the province, and a 2011 report concluded the buildings needs upgrades and maintenance worth $250 million to prevent a collapse.

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