Jack Wilson had some second thoughts, but the rest of Qualicum Beach council did not and the town will be going ahead with building a roundabout at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Rupert Road.

Council voted 4-1 Wednesday morning to award a $563,084 contract to Locar Industries Ltd., to build the sometimes controversial roundabout — a target of scorn in recent letters to the editor in this newspaper. Councillor Wilson said he just can't get on board with the project.

"We can't do it simply because we got some grants," he said. "Plus, the traffic doesn't seem to warrant it."

Wilson added the roundabout will cost the town $206,000 of its own cash, in addition to grants from Towns (and Trees) for Tomorrow and ICBC. Despite staff assurances they are applying for more grants to cover the costs, Wilson sad the area still doesn't need the roundabout, especially due to the speed of traffic coming off of Highway 19 into town.

"It's politically embarrassing to change course at this time," he admitted.

Wilson was, however, the only councillor off course. Mayor Teunis Westbroek said the roundabout has been in the town's traffic plans for two years and the fact is was designed and ready to go meant it qualified for the grants — not the other way around. As well, he said the project will include signage, a public meeting and leaflet aimed at educating drivers on how to use the roundabout.

Councillors at the table expressed support for the project, noting its purpose is to slow traffic coming off the highway — and in the name of safety.

"Its appearance is important there," said Coun. Barry Avis. "The speed limit is 50 kilometers per hour there and is that for about a quarter-mile leading up to (the intersection)."

Town engineer Bob Weir added that's what a roundabout is designed for — to calm traffic.

"It's an impenetrable blob of landscape," he said.

Coun. Kent Becker said he shared Wilson's concern about the location of the roundabout due to traffic speed, but that wasn't enough to change his mind.

"The speed at which people come off the highway is the reason for this," said Coun. Mary Brouilette.

With the contract approval, construction of the roundabout will last approximately 75 days once it has broken ground. Signs warning drivers of the change in traffic flow will be erected. Watch The News for further details on public information sessions.