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By Liam Verster

Infrastructure Project Plan

Vernon infrastructure plan calls for $111-million investment over five years

Nov 24, 2025 | 11:40 AM

The City of Vernon is looking at making major investments into its assets.

The draft 2026-2030 Infrastructure Plan said the municipality owns and operates a range of infrastructure assets with an estimated replacement of cost of $2.9-billion. The report said the majority of the city’s infrastructure is in good condition, but some was also nearing the end of its life span.

“The current total infrastructure backlog is estimated at $234 million, which represents assets that are in poor condition and have reached the end of their estimated service life, but are still providing service,” the report stated.

“Asset management practices allow the City to invest limited resources effective and efficiently through risk management, ensuring assets are maintained throughout their full lifecycle.”

To address the issues of aging infrastructure, the city’s plan called for an investment of roughly $111-million over the coming five years. That will be allocated as followed:

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• 2026 – $19,658,000
• 2027 – $24,039,488
• 2028 – $19,449,600
• 2029 – $24,504,000
• 2030 – $23,754,000

The city said it would use the $111-million for a range of projects falling under the categories of:

• Facilities – projects such as greenhouse gas reduction, ice system replacements for Kal Tire Arena and the recreation centre, asset replacement and renewals
• Drainage – projects aimed at improving drainage and reducing the risk of overland flooding in high risk areas
• Major Construction – road and pathway projects for 43rd Avenue, Kalamalka Lake Road, Alexis Park Drive, 29th Street, and 20th Street
• Organizational Capacity – ensuring the infrastructure program is delivered through investments in staff, tools and equipment, and computer hardware and software
• Parks – investments in park renewals and maintenance
• Wastewater – projects ranging from sanitary sewer collector pipe extensions to unserviced areas, spray irrigation infrastructure replacement and renewals, and priority sanitary replacement projects
• Transportation – work including pavement management, transportation safety improvements, active transportation improvements, and lake access projects

The city previously had a cumulative 1.9 per cent infrastructure levy, which ended in 2023, though the report stated it helped increase city’s capacity to properly manage its assets as contributions to its budget increased from $154,000 for capital projects in 2012 to over $7.6-million in the 2026 draft financial plan.

To help cover the costs of the work over the coming five years, the city has proposed another infrastructure levy in the draft financial plan, bringing the proposed tax rate for 2026 up to 10.24 per cent.

The plan also relies on other factors including Community Works Funding from the agreement with the federal and provincial governments, Casino Gaming grants, increased sewer reserve funding, development cost charges contributions, and external grants.

The report added the plan would be reassessed each year and adjusted to meet the needs of the city and its residents.

Vernon City Council adopted the plan at the regular meeting Monday, Nov. 24.