City to put Gas Tax funding to work on two infrastructure projects

Motorists in Prince Rupert have helped towards some work on a pair of large infrastructure project in Prince Rupert, with the City of Prince Rupert making use of some recent Gas Tax Funding to assist in the funding for a pair of municipal projects.

In an announcement from the City on Thursday, Prince Rupert officials outlined how the $500,000 in funding had been directed towards the new boiler system at the Jim Ciccone Recreation Complex and for a new landfill leachate lagoon at the Ridley Island landfill site.

Mayor Lee Brain made note of the regular distribution of the Gas Tax funds and how it has been put to use towards infrastructure.

“The City is grateful for the Gas Tax funds that we receive each year, which have contributed to countless infrastructure improvements throughout the community”

Joan Osborne, the recently appointed BC Minister for Municipal Affairs spoke to the partnership at all levels that has been put in motion through the funding.

“The Landfill Lagoon Project and boiler upgrades in Prince Rupert are great examples of community-led projects that will help build a stronger B.C. Together with the federal government, the Province is proud to invest in community infrastructure that improves the services people expect and depend on.”

The City’s existing landfill is nearing full capacity, with the recent expansion of the West Berm conducted to intake waste in the interim while a new cell is built. As part of that work, a leachate lagoon also began construction in 2020. Leachate, liquid produced from waste, is collected and settles in the pond, and is treated before it is discharged.

You can learn more about that project here.

As the city notes in their announcement, the new boiler system at the Recreation Complex is a significant upgrade to the efficiency of the building. The Department anticipates an overall increase to efficiency of boiler operations by between 18 and 25% for the facility.

We explored some background that project back in March with this item of note. 

The contract for the work was awarded in April with Slopeside Mechanical Systems of Vancouver the successful bidder. 

You can review the full funding announcement, including further comments from Federal Minister Catherine McKenna and UBCM President Brian Frenkel from the City's information release here.

For more notes related to Prince Rupert City Council see our Council Discussion page here.