City of Courtenay Annual Report 2021

Greenwood Trunk sewer connection New sanitary sewer mains have been installed off Anderton Road, along with a new sewer pump station to accommodate current and anticipated development in East Courtenay. This project was the top priority in the City of Courtenay's Sewer Master Plan. The project re-routes a portion of East Courtenay’s sewage flows to an existing portion of the Greenwood Trunk Sewer constructed by the Comox Valley Regional District in 2017. Construction began in 2020 and continued throughout 2021. Originally budgeted for $4.1 million, including $3 million in borrowing, the project experienced a prior

hydraulic breach from an underground aquifer in September 2020 during deep excavation works for lift station installation, and required a budget reallocation of $1,492,500. The repairs were completed successfully in May. In July 2021, a second hydraulic breach from a separate groundwater source unconnected to the first occurred during excavation. Remediation required an additional budget reallocation of $1,360,000. $1 million for the project has been provided through Community Works (Gas Tax) Funds.

City launches planning for McPhee Meadows Plans are underway to develop a conceptual design and eventually open a 4.6 hectare (11-acre) green space along the Puntledge River to the public, while preserving and restoring its riparian and wildlife habitat features. McPhee Meadows is located on the south bank of the Puntledge River in West Courtenay around 4.1 km upstream of the Courtenay River estuary. The land was donated to the City of Courtenay and Nature Trust BC by the late Robert George McPhee following his passing in 2010. The donation was part of the Federal Ecological Gift program, and as a requirement of this program must maintain biodiversity and environmental heritage features such as rivers, riparian areas, trees, and eagle nests. Public consultation on the project has begun, with input gathered from neighbours and the wider community through a survey launched in December 2021, continuing into 2022. Learn more at courtenay.ca/mcphee

ICF rail corridor

McPhee Meadows

Puntledge River

City of Courtenay | 2021 Annual Report

30