February: UBC continues refusal of wrongdoing in Kelowna building lawsuit
UBC Properties Investments Ltd. continues to deny responsibility in a lawsuit filed by tenants of a building damaged during the construction of a downtown campus tower.Summary
UBC Properties Investments Ltd. has filed its seventh response to a civil suit, continuing to deny all allegations of negligence related to the construction of the UBC Okanagan Development downtown campus tower. The suit was brought forward by former tenants of Hadgraft Wilson Place – Megan Beckmann, Monique Saebels, and Eight Spaces Group Inc. – who allege negligence and seek compensation for damages including financial costs, emotional distress, and health issues. UBC claims it acted reasonably by relying on the expertise of third-party engineers and consultants who oversaw the excavation, and that all work complied with relevant regulations. The university provided $12,000 in emergency funding to each tenant, which will be deducted from any awarded damages. The City of Kelowna also denies wrongdoing, acknowledging damage to nearby buildings but claiming it did not cause it. Fifteen defendants are named in the suit, including UBC Properties Investments Ltd., various consulting firms, construction companies, and the City of Kelowna, with UBC disputing the extent of the alleged damages.
(Source：Kelowna Capital News)