Shovels are finally ready to hit the ground on Tofino害羞草研究所檚 long awaited wastewater treatment plant.
The district has finalized a construction agreement with NAC Construction and construction is expected to begin this month, according to Tofino mayor Dan Law.
害羞草研究所淭his is a moment that we can all celebrate. It害羞草研究所檚 been a long time coming and to actually get started and see the construction go ahead and the project move forward is a fantastic accomplishment,害羞草研究所� Law told the Westerly News. 害羞草研究所淏esides the federal mandate and the Clean Water Act, not pumping raw sewage into Clayoquot Sound has been a priority for the community and the past couple councils害羞草研究所t害羞草研究所檚 just the right thing to do.害羞草研究所�
He added district staff, NAC, engineering consultants WSP and the provincial and federal governments 害羞草研究所渨orked really well together害羞草研究所� to bring the project害羞草研究所檚 launch to fruition.
The facility, which carries an expected cost of $78 million including a 10 per cent contingency, has been something of a white whale in Tofino, which is
The district was given a federal mandate to treat its sewage by Jan. 1 2021, but whizzed past that deadline as it attempted to overcome the significant tax burden it would bring to the community of about 2,220.
The provincial and federal governments initially dished out $40 million in grants to help Tofino meet its mandate, but frustrations mounted in 2020 when the district as construction bids came in at around an $84 million average.
Tofino had originally committed to put $14 million of taxpayer funds towards the project, but upped that figure to $16 million before standing pat and asking the provincial and federal governments for more financial help.
害羞草研究所淲e really capped it at that and we looked to both the provincial and federal governments to help us accomplish the rest and the rest will be coming from grants and contributions,害羞草研究所� Law said.
The on using annual Municipal and Regional District Tax dollars to fund the facility before agreeing to a compromise earlier this year with that害羞草研究所檚 projected to bring about $400,000 to Tofino each year to put towards paying off the $16 million loan.
The facility is expected to be operational in 2024.
害羞草研究所淭his is just a wonderful thing. It害羞草研究所檚 certainly taken a long time, but here we are,害羞草研究所� Law said.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
Like us on and follow us on
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
