Timeline, cost changes to Vernon Creek Naturalization project approved

Sep 26, 2023 | 11:41 AM

The work to naturalize Vernon Creek in Polson park will be delayed and cost more than earlier anticipated.

At the regular meeting Monday, Sept. 25, Vernon City Council received a report on the timeline and cost changes to the project aimed at reducing the risk of flooding and improving fish habitats.

The report from Mathew Keast, water resource engineer for the City of Vernon, stated the original cost of Phase 1 of the project was estimated at $1,950,000, but the estimate was prepared in the fall of 2022 and was based on the construction rates from the previous year. As those rates have climbed significantly over the past two years, the first phase of the project is now estimated to cost $3,260,000.

To help offset that increase, the report recommended the city apply for a Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant under the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaption funding stream, as the site is prone to flooding and that is one of the criteria for the provincial funds. The grants awarded through this program can be as much as $5,000,000.

The project has also been delayed as archaeologists discovered lithic debitage (stone tools) along both banks of the creek, and a Site Alteration Permit from the province is now required before work can commence. The new estimated timeline for construction to begin is August of 2024.

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The report recommended that the Request for Proposal process planned for Phase 1 of the project this fall include an option to have the successful applicant carried over and oversee Phase 2 of the work, at the discretion of council.

As per the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regulations, work on or around bodies of water can only be done between August 1 and October 31, and after receiving the report Monday Mayor Victor Cumming inquired if it were possible to complete both phases of the naturalization project as a single project during that timeframe in 2024.

“We would look to complete Phase 2 in 2025, that’s what we will show in the updated five-year rolling plan,” Mark Dowhaniuk, Vernon’s infrastructure manager, responded.

“Due to funding, mostly, and cash flow and completing all the projects that are on the list, that makes the most sense. We’ve talked about all the work we can feasibly do in the park in one year and Phase 1 is going to take the whole construction window.”

Council voted unanimously in favour of receiving the report for information, authorizing staff submit an application for the provincial grant at the maximum amount, and proceed with the project delivery model.

Speaking with Vernon Matters Tuesday, Sept. 26, Cummings said the expected cost increase is significant but the project needs to go ahead.

“It needs to be done to take care of ground water, et cetera in Polson Park, it’s also a commitment we made to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans when we built the BX Dog Park sediment pond,” Cumming stated.

“We’re committed, we need to do this, our expectation is that it is going to cost more than we thought before, none of us in our own lives are pleased when the costs go up dramatically but that’s what we’re expecting with tenders in 2024.”

He added staff will be applying for the provincial grant to help lower those costs.

by Liam Verster

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