#infrastructure

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City of Rossland

šŸ›ļø Council Shaping Rossland's Next 5 Years

Your city council is reviewing the 2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan for major infrastructure and capital projects. These decisions will determine how millions in tax dollars are spent on roads, buildings, parks, and essential services over the next half-decade.

  • šŸ—ļø Infrastructure and capital projects over five years

  • šŸ¢ Municipal facility and equipment needs

  • šŸ’° Long-term financial planning and budget priorities

  • šŸ“… Multi-year spending commitments and debt planning

  • šŸ›ļø Community infrastructure investment decisions

5 Years
The planning period that will shape Rossland's infrastructure investments, debt levels, and tax implications through 2030. Capital budget decisions made now lock in spending priorities for the entire term.

  • šŸ’° Municipal budget and tax rate implications

  • šŸ›ļø Infrastructure maintenance and upgrades

  • šŸ“ˆ Long-term financial sustainability decisions

What are your thoughts on the capital budget planning process?

Council Meeting: October 20, 2025 immediately following the Public Hearing at Rossland Council Chambers (1920 Third Avenue).

This is a preview discussion where Council will provide staff with further direction on the 2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan. This represents an early stage in the capital budget planning process.

#budget#municipal#infrastructure#planning#finance
Oct 20, 2025
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City of Rossland

City Taking On $7M+ Sewer Risk

Major Financial Decision Alert šŸšØ Council just committed taxpayers to cover ALL cost overruns on a massive sewer replacement project. The city is applying for a $7 million grant but promising to pay ANY amount above that from your tax dollars.

  • šŸš° Wagon Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project needs to be completed

  • šŸ“‹ Required to meet grant application criteria - city must guarantee project completion

  • šŸ’° City applying for $7 million from 2025 Strategic Priorities Fund Program

  • šŸ”§ Project involves replacing existing sanitary sewer infrastructure

  • āš ļø Grant application requires city commitment to cover all aspects of project completion

  • šŸ’µ Applying for $7 million from Strategic Priorities Fund Program

  • šŸ“‹ City commits to overall grant management of the entire project

  • āš ļø City responsible for supporting any cost overruns of the proposed project

  • šŸ”’ Amendment required to meet grant application criteria

  • šŸ¢ Motion passed to include city's willingness to cover overruns

$7 Million
Grant application amount for the Wagon Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project, with the City of Rossland committed to covering any cost overruns beyond this amount through taxpayer funds.

Are you comfortable with unlimited spending commitments?

Motion passed October 6, 2025 āœ… Grant application will now be submitted with city's financial guarantees. Contact council members to share thoughts on future infrastructure spending policies.

#infrastructure#finance#municipal#grants#sewers#taxpayers#budget
Oct 20, 2025
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City of Rossland

McLeod Avenue Project: Parking & Access Questions

A Rossland resident is asking important questions about how the McLeod Avenue retaining wall project will impact neighborhood access and parking. These are the kinds of practical concerns that affect daily life for residents.

  • šŸ—ļø Retaining wall construction project is planned for McLeod Avenue

  • šŸš— Residents concerned about parking availability during construction

  • šŸšŖ Questions raised about maintaining property access

  • šŸ˜ļø Community members seeking clarity before work begins

  • šŸ’¬ Public input demonstrates active civic engagement

McLeod Avenue, Rossland
Location map

  • šŸ“… Question raised at October 6, 2025 Council meeting

  • šŸ‘ļø Regular Council meetings scheduled throughout the year

  • šŸŽ¤ Public input periods available at Council meetings

  • šŸ‘„ Residents can attend meetings to stay informed

  • šŸ—“ļø Next meetings scheduled for various dates in 2026

#infrastructure#traffic#community
Oct 6, 2025
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City of Rossland

šŸšØ Emergency: $905K for Cook Avenue Repairs

Spring flooding collapsed Cook Avenue's storm drain, triggering an emergency infrastructure project that's ballooned to over $1M. The city must reallocate funds from 6 other planned projects to cover the unexpected costs. šŸ’°

Council is voting on awarding the contract to fix the damage and upgrade aging water/sewer lines while they're at it.

Why the Project Expanded Beyond Storm Drain

  • šŸŒŠ 2025 spring flooding caused the existing storm main to collapse completely

  • āš” Emergency scope expanded when crews discovered the sanitary system was too shallow and conflicted with storm drain alignment

  • šŸš° Decided to replace aging water infrastructure at the same time to avoid future road disruption

  • šŸ› ļø Project now includes: storm drain replacement, sewer upgrades, water line replacement, and full road repaving

The Real Cost: What Projects Get Delayed

$1.11 Million
Total project cost including engineering and contingencies. Since no emergency budget existed, the city is pulling funds from 6 other planned projects: Redstone ROW revitalization ($75K), retaining wall design ($300K), priority culvert repairs ($500K), and others. These projects will now be delayed or cancelled.

Two Bids, Tough Choice

  • šŸ† Triahn Enterprises: $905,743 (lowest bid, no previous city experience)

  • šŸ¢ COPCAN Civil: $917,026 (proven track record with Rossland)

  • āš™ļø Staff initially considered the established contractor for reliability

  • šŸ“Š Final recommendation: award to lowest bidder to save taxpayers $11,283

Your Voice Matters on Emergency Spending

Should Council approve this $905K emergency contract for Cook Avenue repairs, even though it means delaying other infrastructure projects across the city?

When & How to Participate

Council Meeting: Monday, September 15, 2025 Agenda Item: 8.b - Cook Avenue Infrastructure Contract Award

šŸ—£ļø Speak Up:

  • Attend the meeting in person
  • Submit written comments to Council
  • Contact your councillors directly

This emergency spending decision affects multiple city projects. Your input helps Council weigh the priorities and trade-offs facing Rossland taxpayers.

#infrastructure#emergency#budget
Sep 15, 2025
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City of Rossland

šŸŠā€ā™€ļø Pool at Risk: Emergency Decision Needed

šŸ”„ Fire damaged Rossland Outdoor Pool equipment in June 2025

āš ļø Pool operated on backup systems all summer

āŒ Without action: Pool could close in 2026

Council must decide whether to spend $31,800 to replace critical boilers or risk losing this community amenity entirely.

šŸ”„ How We Got Here

  • šŸŠā€ā™€ļø Fire in mechanical room destroyed one of two pool boilers

  • āš” Pool managed to operate 2025 season on single remaining boiler

  • āš ļø Operating with one boiler beyond 2025 creates high failure risk

šŸ”„ How We Got Here

  • šŸ”§ Age of existing systems makes replacing just one boiler very difficult

  • šŸ› ļø Staff recommend replacing both boilers for operational certainty

šŸ’° The Investment Required

$39,300
Total project cost includes $31,800 contractor quote plus $7,500 in City labor and supplies. Two new 400,000 BTU pool heaters will replace the damaged equipment. Work scheduled for fall 2025 using allocated capital funds.

Should Council approve spending $39,300 to replace the pool boilers and ensure the outdoor pool stays open, or are there other infrastructure priorities you'd prefer the City focus on?

šŸ“… Next Steps & How to Engage

Council Decision Timeline: šŸ“… This motion comes to Council soon šŸ•°ļø Quote valid for only 15 days due to steel tariff speculation šŸ—ļø Work must be completed after 2025 pool closure

Your Voice Matters: šŸ¢ Attend Council meeting to share your views šŸ“§ Contact your councillors directly šŸ“± Share your thoughts on this spending priority

This decision affects summer 2026 pool operations!

#pool#infrastructure#recreation#emergency#municipal
Sep 15, 2025
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City of Rossland

Arena Upgrade: $200K Before Big Games?

šŸ’ Should Rossland spend $200K to upgrade the Arena Lounge before hosting the BC Winter Games?

With major tournaments coming in 2026, staff want council approval for a complete renovation of the aging facility. The question: Is this the right investment at the right time? šŸ¤”

  • šŸ† BC Winter Games coming February 2026

  • šŸ… Potential Coy Cup hosting March 2026

  • šŸ”§ Current lounge has outdated finishes, lighting, and flooring

  • šŸ“Š Aligns with city's 2023 Recreation Master Plan priorities

  • ā° Tight timeline - needs completion before major events

  • šŸ½ļø Complete kitchen upgrade: new counters, appliances, plumbing fixtures

  • šŸ’” Modern LED lighting throughout (2700-3000K, CRI of 90)

  • šŸš§ New rubber flooring to match adjacent areas

  • šŸ† Redesigned trophy case with integrated lighting

  • šŸ“ŗ Projector mount for events and presentations

$500,000
Available from Growing Communities Funding (2023 provincial grant) - meaning the Arena renovation would use existing provincial money, not new local taxes

Do you think upgrading the Arena Lounge should be a priority before the BC Winter Games? Should Rossland focus on this facility improvement or spend the provincial funding elsewhere?

šŸ“… Council decides at their next meeting

Staff are requesting direction on whether to proceed with this $200K project. If approved, requires competitive bidding process.

šŸ—£ļø Your voice matters - Contact council before they vote or attend the public meeting to share your thoughts on arena spending priorities.

#arena#recreation#infrastructure#budget#community
Sep 15, 2025
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RDKB - Regional District of Kootenay Boundary

šŸ’° $21M Federal Funding Opportunity

šŸ¢ RDKB could secure major federal funding for three key infrastructure projects:

šŸš’ Christina Lake Fire Hall expansion šŸŠ Grand Forks Aquatic Centre upgrades
šŸ” Regional infrastructure resilience study

The Strategic Priorities Fund offers up to 100% funding - potentially $7 million per project!

Board decides whether to apply for all three grants

  • šŸ›ļø Federal Strategic Priorities Fund offers 10-year commitment for local infrastructure

  • šŸ’Æ Up to 100% funding available for eligible projects

  • šŸŽÆ Focuses on large-scale, regional impact, or innovative projects

  • šŸ“Š Maximum $7 million per project, 4 applications max per regional district

  • āš” Two streams: Capital Infrastructure and Capacity Building

  • šŸš’ Christina Lake Fire Hall Expansion - Improve emergency response capacity and coverage

  • šŸŠ Grand Forks Aquatic Centre Upgrades - Energy efficiency improvements and accessibility enhancements

  • šŸ” RDKB Infrastructure Assessment - Evaluate critical infrastructure resilience across the region

100%
Maximum federal funding coverage available through the Strategic Priorities Fund - meaning potentially zero local taxpayer contribution required for these infrastructure improvements

Which of these infrastructure projects do you think should be RDKB's top priority for federal funding: fire hall expansion, aquatic centre upgrades, or regional resilience assessment?

šŸ“… Board Decision Coming

Staff recommend applying for all three grants to maximize federal funding opportunities.

šŸ—£ļø Have Your Say:

  • Contact your RDKB director
  • Attend the board meeting
  • Submit written comments

Corporate Vote Unweighted required to proceed with applications

#infrastructure#grants#firehall#aquaticcentre#federal#RDKB
Aug 27, 2025
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RDKB - Regional District of Kootenay Boundary

šŸ”„ Big Safety News for Our Region

$1.18M FireSmart Grant Approved šŸ’°

The Regional District just received major provincial funding for wildfire prevention! Plus updates on emergency water treatment advocacy and the Record Ridge mine assessment.

Three important communications that affect our community's safety and development.

FireSmart Grant Details

  • šŸ’° $1,185,962.21 total funding from Province of BC

  • šŸ˜ļø Covers wildfire prevention and FireSmart community protection

  • šŸ“… One-year project running until July 29, 2026

FireSmart Grant Details

  • šŸš’ Must coordinate with BC Wildfire Service officials

  • šŸ“Š Includes fuel management, community planning, and emergency preparedness

  • šŸ  Special programs for seniors and vulnerable populations

šŸ’§ Emergency Water Security Initiative

Village of Lions Bay asks BC municipalities to support a UBCM resolution for provincial emergency water treatment plants.

The Ask: Province should acquire 1-3 portable plants (500K gal/day) for wildfire water contamination emergencies.

Why: Small communities can't afford treatment systems but face growing wildfire risks.

āš’ļø Record Ridge Mine Assessment Decision

"The Record Ridge Mine will NOT be designated as a reviewable project under Section 11 of the Act"
ā€” Kelly Northcott, BC Environmental Assessment Office

šŸ“… Stay Informed & Get Involved

These communications are part of Regional District Board agenda items for public information.

FireSmart Project: Must be completed by July 29, 2026 with extensive community safety improvements.

Next Steps: Attend Board meetings to learn more about how these decisions affect our region's safety and development.

#safety#emergency#environmental#firesmart#grants#infrastructure
Aug 27, 2025