Money pumped into Valley

Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Mar 9, 2018 / 1:11 pm
Federal money is pouring into the Okanagan, with several multi-million dollar announcements being made Friday. Vernon will see $2.5 million come back to the region from federal Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund. Mayor Akbal Mund said the windfall will be used for infrastructure improvements. “The 29th-30th Street corridor and 39th Avenue intersection project was approved for $2.394 million; and the Drainage Infrastructure Prioritization project was approved for $105,175,” said Mund. Some 108 projects throughout the province have been approved and four have been conditionally approved, for nearly $193 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund. Coldstream will see up to $495,000 to build the Kalamalka Road Multi-Use Path Project — a four-metre wide pathway extending 350 meters from the Coldstream/Vernon boundary to the intersection of College Way and Kalamalka Road.Coldstream officials said construction costs of the path will be in the neighbourhood of $520,000. "The completion of the Kalamalka Road Multi-Use Path will provide a key travel connection for commuters and recreational users in the community, particularly with the anticipated increased usage of the Okanagan Rail Trail, said Coldstream mayor Jim Garlick. "It will also support the future development of the District-owned property along Kalamalka Road.” The Township of Spallumcheen will receive $275,000 for the development of an integrated asset management and climate change plan. Lumby also received $2.5 millions for improvements to aging Pat Duke Memorial Arena. "I am pleased to see the important work that will be done across British Columbia thanks to the federal Gas Tax Fund,” said Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.“Whether a community needs to expand its recreational centre, repair roads, or make energy-saving upgrades, the Government of Canada will continue to invest in the local infrastructure Canadians want and need.” The District of Lake Country has been awarded $5 million in federal gas tax funding to complete a new, multi-generational activity centre.
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Federal Gas Tax Fund-Strategic Priorities Approved and Conditionally Approved ProjectsUpdated as of March 6, 20182017 Intake