Increased pump capacity is something Greendale has been asking for since the Chilliwack neighbourhood suffered extensive flooding in 2009.
Provincial government reps announced $4.2 million for the McGillivray Pump Station upgrade on Friday in Chilliwack, as part of an $80 million pool of emergency preparedness and public safety funds.
The funding news was delivered by Chilliwack MLA John Martin, on behalf of Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto.
It will mean increased pump capacity for the McGillivray station to meet the one-in-100-year rainfall standard of protection,covering a 30-square-km of floodplain area.
One representative of the local ag sector is thankful.
“I thought this was great news for us on a couple of different fronts, especially the increased pumping capacity and the standby generator,” said Greendale farmer Frank Pauls, who is former member of the Rural Issues Advisory Committee.
“It’s all the things we’ve been lobbying for quite some time. We’re very pleased.”
Coun. Jason Lum, who is also FVRD chair, sees it as a critical piece of the flood protection puzzle.
“This is significant given the amount of acreage that will now be protected,” said Lum. “Moving water off of the agriculture lands will ultimately be very important for ensuring continuity.”
The local MLA praised the funding foresight.
“The investment made in the McGillivray Pump Station will go a long way in protecting Chilliwack from the risk of floods,” said MLA John Martin.
