Particulars of the project agreement between qathet Regional District (qRD) and City of Powell River pertaining to the resource-recovery centre were outlined to regional directors.
At the September 6 committee of the whole meeting, Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander, referring to a staff report on the matter, asked about a statement that the city, at its own cost, is to ensure the facility is properly serviced to the boundary of the lease area, which shall, at a minimum, include potable water, with sufficient flow and capacity for fire department use. The agreement states that this will also include statutory rights-of-way and easements required to provide services.
The staff report indicated that construction of a waterline, with the capacity as outlined, has not been started.
“This has now become the biggest hindrance to completing the resource-recovery centre,” the report stated. “Without this water system, it is unlikely that the resource-recovery centre will be able to get occupancy and would likely prevent the qRD from getting insurance to operate.”
Brander asked if there were any next steps that could be taken to facilitate the project happening.
Manager of asset management and strategic initiates Arnold Schwabe said the report was written a little while ago, on August 8. He said he had updates.
“That has now occurred,” said Schwabe. “The city released the request for proposals on August 18, so that is in progress.
“The other stumbling block we had was the park proviso, which has now officially been resolved. That land titles will be changing shortly. It’s looking good. It looks like all our processes are complete now.”
Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said she was also concerned about the waterline. She asked if it was known how long it would take to put in once the contract is let.
Schwabe said his understanding was that the waterline distance was 700 to 800 metres.
“I don’t believe any of it is under asphalt,” said Schwabe. “A project like that could take anywhere from a month to two months, depending on how quickly they can find a contractor.”
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said he appreciated the report and seeing the progress update.
The staff report indicated that a good portion of the commitments have been completed and the regional district is optimistic that the facility will be operational by the first half of 2024.
The committee recommended that the board receive the update of the status of commitments in the project agreement between qRD and the city for the Marine Avenue resource-recovery centre and transfer station project.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
