Upgrades to the public works yard on Labieux Rd. are forecast to cost around $48.5 million, with a 2026 or 2027 estimated completion. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

vital services

Proposed $48.5 million Nanaimo public works facility upgrade clears first hurdle

May 2, 2023 | 3:47 PM

NANAIMO — Council is moving ahead with a long-overdue replacement and upgrade of its public works facility, future-proofing service delivery.

The massive project, which is set to cost in the neighbourhood of $48.5 million, will eventually replace the aging Public Works Yard on Labieux Rd., the Parks Operations Yard on Prideaux St. and a satellite facility on Nanaimo Lakes Rd.

Michael Lonsdale, senior project manager of engineering for the City, told Councillors Monday, May 1, the original buildings on Labieux Rd. were built in the 1960’s when the City’s population was less than half what it is now.

“At its full build-out, the Nanaimo Operations Centre will be adding new work groups into the facility and it will be reconfigured to have better laid out storage spaces, better laid out indoor spaces and better able to service our community for a great number of coming years.”

A proposed new fleet management and maintenance building on Labieux Rd. will enhance service delivery for the City. (City of Nanaimo)

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The current facility does not adequately handle all the City’s staff and equipment, according to Lonsdale, with many of the buildings on site remaining largely unchanged since they were constructed.

It’s led to portable buildings being placed on-site to meet increasing service levels and needs.

The first phase of the project will involve a new fleet maintenance building at the Labieux Rd. site, including truck wash facilities.

“It will be built to be robust, to be responsive to the City’s future needs for things like electrification of our fleet, improving our energy consumption and emissions targeting goals,” Lonsdale said. “It will be able to withstand a moderate earthquake and enhance the City’s emergency disaster response in such an event.”

Also in phase one is better management of storm water on Labieux Rd., including replacement of pipes on site which are heavily degraded.

Upgrades to the Nanaimo Fire Rescue training tower and development of a multi-use pathway behind the site and connecting the Parkway with Dorman Rd. round out the project.

Administration space, storage and reconfiguring the Prideaux St. facility are among future phases planned.

A multi-use pathway behind the Labieux Rd. public works yard will complete a loop around Beban Park. (City of Nanaimo)

More information is expected to come before Council later this year ahead of an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) beginning in October or November.

The AAP would consist of a community-wide, 32-day vote to ask for consent from residents for the City to borrow up to $48.5 million for the project.

Roughly $40 million is for the “Foundational Work”, according to a City report, with the storm water management accounting for $4.5 million, upgrades to the fire training tower at $1.25 million and the remaining $2.75 million estimated for the multi-use pathway.

For now, $300,000 was committed by Council Monday night to fund immediate work on storm water management issues and various reviews of the site.

Support for the City to proceed was overwhelming.

“This is what the City is all about, being able to supply basic needs to our citizens in terms of public works. This facility is well beyond its best buy date,” coun. Ian Thorpe said. “The sooner we get moving on its replacement, the better.”

Mayor Leonard Krog said the current facility is unsuitable for those working to provide City services.

“It really, really is way past time that the people who do a lot of the grotty, tough work in tough conditions, called out in emergencies, etcetera have a decent, safe, secure place to work.”

Barring any unforeseen changes in support or other circumstances, the project is due for a 2026 or 2027 completion.

The Labieux Rd. public works yard is home to a wide array of City staff and vehicles, including snow removal, water servicing and garbage collection. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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