In Kimberley’s 2014 Financial Plan there are capital projects of $12.4 million.
These include 5th Avenue and Ross & Knighton storm sewer work, Black Bear Bridge replacement, the installation of the two walking bridges, Marysville Arena Ice Plant upgrade, Deer Park water and sewer main replacement, 301/209 Avenue water main work, UV Disinfection at the Sewage Treatment Plant and more.
The capital projects also include the Mark Creek Flume and the Sun Mine. The flume project is on hold pending a grant application, but it was discussed at last Tuesday’s open house.
A question arose at the open house as to the costs of the Mark Creek Flume rehab and why total costs are at $6.8 million.
Why is the project 50 per cent over budget was the question.
City Chief Administrative Officer Scott Sommerville said that there were a number of unexpected costs before the project even got into the ground, especially a huge increase in the cost of rocks. There were also extra legal costs and property costs.
Coun. Albert Hoglund said that the project had also been extended a little further to the bridge near the downtown railway station.
Asked about the status of the Sun Mine, Mayor Ron McRae said negotiations were ongoing and he hoped an announcement would be made shortly. He also said that the solar project was never intended to generate any significant income.
In that case, the question was why proceed.
“It will put Kimberley on the map as an innovative community,” McRae said. “We have built business cases that say if we further build up the project it could generate significant revenue.
“The Sun Mine, the flume, the walking bridges all add to the value of the community,” the Mayor said. “To be successful we have to invest in social well-being as well.”
McRae also said, when questioned about the wooden, timber frame walking bridges, that putting in steel bridges made no sense in terms of what the City was trying to do with Mark Creek.