Despite wrestling with a $61 million deficit, Vancouver spent $175,000 on new carpets and chairs to make city hall fancy for the Olympics.
Documents obtained via Freedom of Information show it cost taxpayers $147,892 for Surrey’s Maxwell Floors to cover the third floor foyer, council chamber and main and private elevator lobbies during the summer. The original deal was $129,944 but $17,948 in change orders increased the price.
Another $17,929.20 was billed Aug. 31 for eight upholstered benches from North Vancouver’s Omega Custom Furniture and Design and $10,374 was invoiced Aug. 14 for two-dozen upholstered and mahogany chairs from Toronto’s ISA International.
Mayor Gregor Robertson said Olympic renovations at the 1936-built city hall were initiated by the previous NPA-majority council.
“We’re hosting a lot of dignitaries and heads of state here for the Games,” Robertson said.
