B.C. receives historic cash injection 

North Shore Outlook, Rebecca Aldous
September 25, 2009

The federal and provincial government are pumping $14.4 million into North Shore infrastructure projects.
It's part of Thursday's $477-million infrastructure announcement that will see government investment in 174 B.C. projects.

As part the deal, the three North Shore municipalities will contribute $7.1 million to the funding pot — a third of all costs West Vancouver will see a $4.5-million artificial turf field constructed for the West Vancouver field hockey and soccer club.new field will continue to bring new life to Ambleside, West Van mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones said in a release, adding the grant's approval was the result of tireless volunteer effort of field hockey and soccer families.

The district also receives money to upgrade 6.5 kilometres of sewer mains, a move which may not sound exciting, but is critical to address with the coming of a North Shore secondary sewage treatment plant, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre said.

Across the blue bridge, the district and city of North Vancouver received much-needed money for trails and roadways.

North Van district receives $1.3 million to install bike lanes in both directions along Marine Drive. The district also gets $1.4 million to spend on sidewalk improvements.

North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite is happy to see $3.2 million spent on an artificial turf at Windsor secondary school. It's a project she worked on since before her three-year stint on the North Vancouver Board of Education, she said. "There isn't a (turf field) east of Seymour right now," Thornthwaite said.

North Van city receives $2.6 million for a pedestrian overpass, south of the intersection of Mackay Road and West 1st St. The pedestrians and cyclists bridge will go over the CN Rail lines and is a part of the Spirit Trail.

City of North Vancouver mayor Darrell Mussatto said that's good news because that part of the trail was the toughest to accommodate.

Although the city doesn't have a lot of urgent infrastructure upgrades, the 2011 completion date on submitted projects did limit the city's grant applications, he said.

But the time requirement will ensure the money turns into action quickly, McIntyre said.

The grants also represents a first in terms of inter-government communication, said John Weston, MP West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sea Country. North Shore MLAs, MPs and municipal staff collaborated to ensure key projects were funded, he said. "This is unprecedented, the level of co-operation and detailed work (between the parties)," Weston said.

The government is leveraging every dollar available to create jobs in the province, Premier Gordon Campbell stated in a release. "Today's announcement will create about 4,600 more jobs and is the next step in our ongoing, three-year job creation strategy to build confidence and keep British Columbia working," he said.

Local governments will pitch in a total of $242 million, making the total cash injection the largest single community infrastructure funding in the history of the province. The funding is being funnelled through two programs — the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and the Communities Component, a building Canada Fund that allows communities with populations less than 100,000 to apply for infrastructure projects.

The money is a major step towards the fulfilment of the goals identified in the 2009 federal budget, said Robert Hobson, Union of B.C. Municipalities president. "Local governments throughout the province will put this funding to use creating jobs and building critical community infrastructure," he said.

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Projects

District of West Vancouver

- $4.5 million for an artificial turf playing surface to be constructed for the West Vancouver Field Hockey Club and the West Vancouver Soccer Club.

- $2.6 million for a filtration plant serving approximately 375 people that will be constructed to replace the existing water treatment plant at Montizambert Creek.

- $2.4 million for 6.5 kilometres of sewer mains.

- $429,968 for the Horseshoe Bay Terminal, Berth 3 Ramp.

District of North Vancouver

- $3.2 million to convert Windsor secondary school's grass field to artificial turf.

- $1.4 million for sidewalks

- $1.3 million to rehabilitate Marine Dr.

- $428,340 to complete five flood protection projects in the Lynmour area.

City of North Vancouver

- $2.6 million for the Spirit Trail Habourside West pedestrian overpass.

- $1.4 million for seismically upgrades to Marine Drive Bridge and Cotton Road Bridge.

- $1 million to link North Vancouver's Green Necklace trail with Keith Road connection.