Shovels are finally ready to hit the ground on TofinoB次元官网网址檚 long awaited wastewater treatment plant.
The district has finalized a construction agreement with NAC Construction and construction is expected to begin this month, according to Tofino mayor Dan Law.
B次元官网网址淭his is a moment that we can all celebrate. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a long time coming and to actually get started and see the construction go ahead and the project move forward is a fantastic accomplishment,B次元官网网址� Law told the Westerly B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淏esides the federal mandate and the Clean Water Act, not pumping raw sewage into Clayoquot Sound has been a priority for the community and the past couple councilsB次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 just the right thing to do.B次元官网网址�
He added district staff, NAC, engineering consultants WSP and the provincial and federal governments B次元官网网址渨orked really well togetherB次元官网网址� to bring the projectB次元官网网址檚 launch to fruition.
The facility, which carries an expected cost of $78 million including a 10 per cent contingency, has been something of a white whale in Tofino, which is
The district was given a federal mandate to treat its sewage by Jan. 1 2021, but whizzed past that deadline as it attempted to overcome the significant tax burden it would bring to the community of about 2,220.
The provincial and federal governments initially dished out $40 million in grants to help Tofino meet its mandate, but frustrations mounted in 2020 when the district as construction bids came in at around an $84 million average.
Tofino had originally committed to put $14 million of taxpayer funds towards the project, but upped that figure to $16 million before standing pat and asking the provincial and federal governments for more financial help.
B次元官网网址淲e really capped it at that and we looked to both the provincial and federal governments to help us accomplish the rest and the rest will be coming from grants and contributions,B次元官网网址� Law said.
The on using annual Municipal and Regional District Tax dollars to fund the facility before agreeing to a compromise earlier this year with thatB次元官网网址檚 projected to bring about $400,000 to Tofino each year to put towards paying off the $16 million loan.
The facility is expected to be operational in 2024.
B次元官网网址淭his is just a wonderful thing. ItB次元官网网址檚 certainly taken a long time, but here we are,B次元官网网址� Law said.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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