The Thompson-Nicola Regional District says a new eco-depot between Ashcroft and Cache Creek will be open later this year.

Environmental Services Manager Jamie Vieira says the site is at Campbell Hill Drive East. The TNRD purchased two lots earlier this year from the Metro Vancouver Regional District for $435,000, totaling 94 hectares in size.

He says the first choice was at Boston Flats but that changed after public consultation.

“Following that consultation, the board gave us direction to pursue this Campbell Hill Drive East property as the preferred location. What we’re announcing is that we’ve secured that property, purchased that property, and are moving ahead now with design for construction. So it will be built on the Campbell Hill Drive East site, not Boston Flats.”

Vieira says the new site will be much improved from the current facility, which is up a muddy forest road on Campbell Hill Drive West.

He explains what will be different.

“This site is not immediately off a paved road, so there’s still a bit of a gravel road to drive to, but it’s nothing like the current site where it’s up kind of a muddy logging road to get to. So this will be a nice, fairly flat grade to get in to. So it really depends on where you’re coming from, whether it’s a more convenient or less convenient location.

“So this one will be much more convenient access for regular passenger vehicles. It’ll have a recycling building, so you can picture sort of a bottle depot-style building, they’ll be staff to assist and direct customers in proper sorting of the recycling. Flat, gravel and paved areas to stockpile metal and paved areas to stockpile larger areas, like brush and branches.”

Vieira says it will also have new services like a weigh scale and places to recycle used oil, paint and light bulbs.