Creek project funded

Published: January 09, 2009 4:00 PM Morning Star:

A Vernon waterway will undergo a transformation later this year. The City of Vernon has received a $801,800 provincial grant to upgrade BX Creek from Swan Lake to Pleasant Valley Road. “It will be exciting to see the construction of this project this fall, as it has been a three-year co-ordinated effort between the local interest groups, property owners, local municipalities and of course the provincial and federal governments,” said Rob Dickinson, manager of engineering services.Dickinson believes the work will significantly improve water quality and aquatic habitat, enhancing and protecting a valuable aspect of community green space.“Over the past decade or more, the BX Creek water system has experienced serious degradation from erosion and debris as well as a serious reduction in aquatic species that usually inhabit the creek,” he said.“By deepening the water channel and creating sedimentation ponds along the route, new spawning beds for the various fish species will be created and provide a larger capacity for stormwater, thereby reducing flooding and bank erosion along the route.”

Mayor Wayne Lippert is pleased to see the project moving ahead. “We’re very grateful to the province for this grant which represents 100 per cent of the project costs,” he said.“We are also pleased to note that, included in the project objective, is the construction of a new creekside trail system that will be available for the public’s enjoyment, and I’m looking forward to its completion.”