A concept image of the revitalized Vernon Creek in Polson Park (image courtesy of the City of Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Phase 1 to Cost $3.8M

Polson naturalization project to begin in June

May 10, 2024 | 4:03 PM

Work to improve Vernon Creek and make it more resilient to flooding in Polson Park is set to begin this summer.

Phase 1 of the Polson Park Vernon Creek Naturalization project is scheduled to start in June.

A contractor has been found to do the first phase of the project, with an option to undertake the second phase based on outcomes from the work this summer.

City staff say the first phase of the project will cost $3.8-million, and recommends funding it with $1.27-million coming from the Casino Reserve and $2.53-million from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund’s Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaption Funding Stream.

The project was originally planned to go in 2023 at an estimated to cost $1.95-million , but the project was delayed due to permitting requirements and the costs associated with the pricing rose over that period

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Phase 1 of the project will see riparian planting, fish habitat restoration, and flood mitigation work done in a section of the creek from the park entrance at Highway 97 to just north of the duck pond outlet. The creek will be fenced off around that area for the duration of the work.

Phase 2 will see the work continue from where it left off and down south to the maintenance vehicle crossing. That work is budgeted to cost a total of $4.9-million and scheduled to begin in 2025.

Vernon City Council will receive an update on the project’s start date and be asked to amend the approved budget for Phase 1 to account for the addition from the Casino Reserve and the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant at the regular meeting Monday, May 13.