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. The facility is poised to be replaced by a new consolidated public works yard to be known as the Nanaimo Operation Centre.  (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

moving forward

$48.5 million for first phase of Nanaimo public works facility upgrade clears another hurdle

Jun 20, 2023 | 3:18 PM

NANAIMO — A substantial replacement of Nanaimo’s public works facility has taken another step forward.

During a Monday, June 19 meeting, councillors approved the first three readings for the Nanaimo operations centre phase one borrowing bylaw to authorize the borrowing of up to $48.5 million for the first phase construction of the Nanaimo Operations Centre.

The item only took a few minutes to pass the first three readings, with none opposed and little discussion on the planned project on Labieux. Rd.

Mayor Leonard Krog said the speed at which these readings were given approval is backgrounded by the fact this proposal has come before council several times previously.

“Substantive reports and very serious consideration of the extreme necessity for starting on this very major and important project. I wouldn’t want the public to think we just spent $48.5 million bucks without giving it any second thought.”

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In accordance with the community charter, Council also signed off on an alternative approval process, which could stop the project if 10 per cent of eligible voters, or 7,799, or more people, oppose the plan.

The entire project is planned to be built in four phases in order to maintain operational management.

Additional funding will be needed to complete the other phases of the project.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNOW