$43M Greater Vernon project could start in 2024

Bob Fleming, RDNO director for Area B (Swan Lake-Commonage) and the chair of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) said the tender is out for the system’s collection works component, and there is still work to be done to get things ready for the treatment and treated water storage segment of the project.

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“The two things are being done independently because the collection works engineering and design was ready first and we don’t need the municipal wastewater regulations approval to be able to proceed with the collection works. They’re more associated with the treatment,” Fleming explained.

Fleming said once they see the results of the tender (expected in early January), he hopes that could allow construction to start in the spring of 2024.

He expects the construction would take more than a year.

“We can’t say exactly until we see what the contractors are suggesting. Their timing will be revealed when we get into the tender process, but my own feeling is that it’s more than one building season.There’s some complicated parts [such as water table issues and directional drilling].It’s a complicated project.”

Fleming isn’t sure if the new cost could exceed the last estimate of $43 million.

“The feeling was the contractors are probably going to be able to give more accurate pricing by allowing them a little more time to do some price sourcing,” he said.

Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser said at a groundbreaking event in October 2022, the project will create economic benefits in the area.

“Our local businesses that are here, and want to expand, are ready for [the facility]. We have new businesses wanting to come in the area and, on the regional district side, it will provide some low-income housing, some affordable housing, and also help their commercial corridor,” Fraser told Vernon Matters.

She added the reclaimed water from the facility will be used on local farmlands.