The City of Nanaimo will ask residents to support spending close to $50 million for the first phase of work on a new public works yard.
City council, at a meeting Monday, May 1, voted to direct staff to proceed with Phase 1 of the Nanaimo Operations Centre project on Labieux Road. That includes an alternative approval process to ask residents to support borrowing up to $48.5 million, as well as spending $300,000 from reserves to support the project in the meantime.
A year and a half ago, city staff estimated that the total cost of the operations centre work would be approximately $125 million. According to a city staff report this week, the bulk of the Phase 1 spending, $40 million, will be for “foundational work” including a fleet and maintenance facility, truck wash and utility servicing.
“There are driving forces behind this project…” said Michael Lonsdale, senior project manager. “The first being the aging condition of the existing buildings, the second being a lack of space and capacity to provide services in a growing community, the third being shortcomings in seismic, environmental, accessibility, gender equity and other considerations, and finally, an opportunity to optimize operations across the city.”
The other Phase 1 spending will include $4.5 million for stormwater management, $1.25 million for fuel conversion at the adjacent fire training facility, and $2.75 million for a multi-use pathway across the street at Beban Park.
Poul Rosen, the city’s director of engineering, explained that the pathway is part of the operation centre plans because this sort of project would typically include frontage work such as new sidewalks, but considering the site’s location across the street from the park, it makes more sense to invest in pedestrian improvements there.
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo public works yard rebuild would cost $125 million
Coun. Ian Thorpe made the motion to accept staff’s recommendation, suggesting that the public works department’s role in providing basic needs to citizens is “what the city is all about.”
“[The existing] facility is well beyond its best-by date, so I think the sooner we get moving on its replacement, the better,” he said.
Mayor Leonard Krog also voiced support.
“It really is way past time that the people who do a lot of the grotty, tough work in tough conditions – called out in emergencies, etc. – have a decent, safe, secure place to work,” he said.
The only council member who voted in opposition was Tyler Brown, who said he would have wished to see, as part of staff’s report, projections showing the implications of the debt servicing on future budgets.
The city anticipates holding the alternative approval process in October. Phase 1 work is anticipated to be completed by 2027.
READ ALSO: City of Nanaimo begins project planning for multimillion-dollar public works yard upgrades
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
