An alternative approval process will occur this fall asking Nanaimo voters to borrow up to $90 million for upgrades to the Nanaimo Public Works Yard. (File photo)

By Jordan Davidson

AAP

AAP approved asking for up to $90M for Nanaimo Public Works Yard upgrades

Jul 30, 2024 | 10:25 AM

NANAIMO — Voter approval will once again be sought to borrow a large sum of money to upgrade the City of Nanaimo’s public works facilities, with an ask of up to $90 million.

In June, Council expressed its desire to change the scope of the project into a single phase with only the replacement of the fleet maintenance and administration buildings, as well as storm water management.

Other parts of the originally planned project will be included as needed in future capital plans.

The motion to proceed with an alternative approval process (AAP) was approved during a special council meeting on Monday, July 29.

The AAP for the project, now known as the Public Works Yard Update, will start on Sept. 18, 2024, with the deadline to drop off completed forms being Oct. 31 at 4:30 p.m.

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Director of legislative services Sheila Gurrie said their communication and engagement strategy will include posts on their social media channels and advertisements in local media, open houses and tours of the current public facilities yard, and flyers being sent to households.

She said information flyer drops would explain the entire project scope, and show voters how their signed AAP forms can now be submitted electronically.

“Staff did explore the option of sending the information via addressed mail, however, this is much more costly. It’s approximately $34,000 versus $13,000 for a flyer drop, and recipients would be limited to homeowners only,” said Gurrie. “The benefits of the flyer drop along with its reduced cost, is that all addresses including rentals, apartments, or condos, would receive the information.”

Information on the project will also be available in City facilities and on their website, which should be available within the coming weeks.

City staff were asked in June to prepare a report clarifying the rules around the AAP process, following two failed attempts to borrow money for a new public works facility.

Coun. Erin Hemmens thanked staff for the work put in on this project, as it’s the first AAP under their recently updated rules.

“I very much appreciate a mail out. I think that’s going to address a lot of the concerns, so if a flyer is going to every single house, I think that’s a great approach along with everything else that we’ve identified.”

This will be the second planned AAP being planned in the City, with a proposed Nanaimo south-end community centre expected to undertake the electoral approval process in 2025.

The original plan called for a phased approach, with the first phase estimated to be around $48.5 million.

It included extensive work to build a new fleet maintenance facility, storm water management, retrofitting an existing fire training apparatus, and building a multi-use pathway.

If 10 per cent or more of eligible voters submit forms in opposition, the project will return to Council to determine the next steps.

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