The view from the sky over Summerland will be updated this spring as the municipality replaces old and out of date images for its GIS mapping system.
At the municipal council meeting of March 12, council awarded McElhanney Consultants the contract for the Summerland Digital Orthophoto 2012 Project.
The cost of the work is not to exceed $50,000.
In addition to the aerial photography, the work also includes computer processing of the images and provides topography information about the community.
“It’s a very useful tool, not only for staff but for the general public as well,” said municipal treasurer and acting administrator Ken Ostraat.
Coun. Peter Waterman said information about drainage patterns can also be determined from the photography and mapping.
The images will also be used for Google Earth.
Coun. Orv Robson said the tender was well under the budgeted amount of $65,000.
The aerial photography will take place during the second or third week of April.
The information will then be processed and completed by August or September.
Summerland’s last aerial mapping was done in 2005 and the images are no longer accurate.