Plans are advancing to expand the French Creek Pollution Control Centre, which handles sewage storage and treatment between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — With a recent commitment of senior government to help control costs, plans continue advancing for a significant enhancement to the French Creek Pollution Control Centre (FCPCC).

Serving a population of nearly 30,000 in French Creek, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, Ellen Tian, the Regional District of Nanaimo’s general manager of community utilities said expansion work on the facility is scheduled to start later this year.

She noted the senior levels of government provided more than $18 million toward the project budgeted at $106 milllion.

“If construction can start in the summer we are expecting substantial construction can be completed at the end of 2027, so it’s about three-and-a-half year construction,” Tian told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She said expanding the FCPCC’s capacity by 30 per cent allows the area’s sewage needs to correspond with population growth.

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The FCPCC was built in 1978, with the last major expansion completed in 1997.

“It’s much needed to meet the growing community’s need and also try to proactively manage the aging infrastructure — not only adding the additional capacity, but also to upgrade some odour generation treatment process as well.”

Tian acknowledged numerous complaints made by residents in the French Creek area regarding odour from the FCPCC, which she said will be substantially addressed through this project.

A general contractor and design engineer are already working on the project, which is included in the RDN’s 2024-2028 drat financial plan.

Tian said their partners are currently working on a concept validation stage, which in part was established to help limit the impact of rising construction costs.

“All of the parties will be working together to make sure the project will be delivered on budget and a pre-planned schedule,” she said.

located at 957 Lee Rd., the French Creek Pollution Control Centre was first constructed in 1978. (RDN)

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes