District of 100 Mile House council is focusing on infrastructure improvements this year and down the road in its latest five-year financial plan that received third reading on March 10.
Council will now present it to the public in Council Chambers, 385 Birch Ave. (off Fourth Street) at 6 p.m. on April 14, prior to final adoption.
District engineering and community works director Phil Strain says the biggest project dollars in 2015 will pay for the Alpine Watermain replacement – a $1.15-million project. New pressure-reducing valves ($225,000) will be installed for the District's water system.
Both projects are conditional on grant approvals that won't be confirmed until the fall.
These projects make up the bulk of this year's $1.988-million capital budget from potential grant funding of $973,000 and reserve funds of about $1.015 million.
Other infrastructure improvements this year will see a sidewalk replaced on Eighth Street from Scott to Spruce roads ($40,000), and a 50th Anniversary Legacy Park at Cariboo Trail and Horse Lake Road ($29,000).
Plans for 2016-2019
In 2016, the largest capital expenditure over the five-year period is the Well #4 major upgrade – a $4.5 million project, including another well and water treatment, which Strain notes is also reliant on securing necessary grant funding.
He explained the District's plans also include a variety of industrial area projects.
• In 2016, resurfacing the Exeter Truck Route pavement is planned.
• In 2018, the industrial park water main will be extended to include Sollows Crescent.
• In 2019, a 101 Mile Reservoir is to be installed and then supply a new water main from there to Exeter Road, with an extension to McDermid Road. This $1.1-million water works project will bring the industrial area's current low-flow main up to fire suppression standards.
• In 2019, a new Exeter Reservoir is slated for servicing another new water main to Exeter Road and extending from the truck route to McDermid, with an extension further along Sollows.
Downtown, residential projects
• In 2016, a new sidewalk is slated to run along Cedar Avenue from the 100 Mile District General Hospital to Horse Lake Road. This sidewalk will then be extended west down to Birch Avenue in 2017.
• In 2017, resurfacing is planned for Cedar Avenue from Fourth Street to Fifth Street; and Evergreen Crescent, Balsam to Aspen avenues.
• In 2017, paving along Eighth Street from Alpine to Spruce Road is planned.
• In 2017, the Centennial Park tennis courts are slated for new fencing.
• In 2018, the new pavement on Evergreen will be extended from Birch Avenue N. to Balsam.
• In 2018, new sidewalks will run along Fourth between Birch and Cedar avenues, and then continue north across to the Lakewood Inn (2019).
• In 2019, Cedar is slated for more paving from First Street to Third Street.
District-wide utilities
• In 2018, ongoing infrastructure improvements are expected to replace sewer pumps and controls.
• In 2019, these will be followed by sewage treatment plant upgrades and a new aeration system.
While these and many other planned projects are also dependent on approved grants, Strain says, adding that in some cases, water project funding also covers repaving in those areas.