With the approval of additional funding, the much anticipated Terminal Ave./Nicol St. upgrades will start in early July 2023. (City of Nanaimo)

By Jordan Davidson

huge project

Budget increased for major Terminal Ave upgrade with construction to begin shortly

Jun 14, 2023 | 3:22 PM

NANAIMO — A major infrastructure project in Nanaimo’s downtown will start work in a few weeks after Council approved a budget increase.

During a Wednesday, June 14 finance and audit committee meeting, Council agreed to increase the budget for the Terminal Avenue Corridor Upgrades Phase 1 plan by a little over $1.5 million.

The estimated cost of revamping Terminal Ave. between Esplanade and Commercial St. is now $7.3M.

The budget increase will need to be officially endorsed at a future city council meeting.

Above and below-ground infrastructure enhancements on the block of Terminal Ave. have been in the works for a number of years as the concept evolved and ideas for how best to use the area progressed.

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General manager of engineering and public works Bill Sims said this will trigger the start of a community plan envisioned almost a decade ago, and involves a long-term construction timeline for this multi-faceted project.

“We’re taking advantage to replace the ageing utilities, the water and the storm drainage underneath, and we’ve engaged the Ministry of Transportations participation. They’re contributing a little over $1.2 million. This is going to be also including a significant refresh of the Italian Fountain, the Pioneer Park, and just creating an overall urban feel and getting rid of that sort of highway corridor feel.”

About $150,000 of the additional money is from their general capital reserve fund, $1.3 million from the general asset management reserve fund and $62,000 from the water asset management reserve fund.

Anticipated upgrade costs to Italian Square Park and Pioneer Square Park are currently set at $279,000 and $498,000 respectively, with funding coming from the cancelled project on the former Jean Burns property, as the idea for a public plaza on the site fell out of favour.

City planning documents show a planned location for a transit exchange just south of the old Jean Burns building site is listed as a ‘future project area.’

Public support for a new transit exchange at the site was minimal at best following public consultations.

Mayor Leonard Krog was glad to finally have an idea for when construction will begin on this massive downtown overhaul, with shovels expected to be in the ground shortly after Canada Day.

“It’s a very impressive project and it’s going to have a dramatic impact in the city.”

Future phases will see similar upgrades along Terminal Ave. proceed north past the Pearson St. Bridge to Stewart Ave.

Beban Park Steam Room Repairs

During the same meeting, Council also agreed to add a $60,000 project to the 2023-2027 Financial Plan to complete necessary repairs at the steam room in the Beban Pool.

The repairs follow the Feb. 2023 discovery of hollow areas behind the walls in the steam room caused by deteriorating adhesive and fibres holding the tiles in place.

The money comes from the recreation facility reserve fund, which is funded by 20 per cent of recreation passes and rentals.

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