Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
The City of Castlegar will seek for almost $3.6 million in federal infrastructure funding to upgrade Columbia Avenue.
The application under the New Building Canada Fund is for the design and construction of project.
Civic works director Chris Barlow gave a short presentation outlining the project Monday. He said the project will cost close to $5.8 million and will address infrastructure issues.
New asphalt from 24th street to 12th street, new sidewalks, bike paths and underground infrastructure replacement are all among the improvements on the agenda. Underground water and storm mains will also see replacement.
Following Barlow’s presentation, councillor Bruno Tassone asked about power poles along Columbia Avenue.
“From 21st street to 24th street there are power poles, and from 24th street to 28th street there are no power poles,” Tassone stated. “So in this project, as we dig up the street anyway, can we not ask Fortis to put everything underground?”
Barlow replied that the city can look into that and that money is set aside for utility relocation, so the option is very much a possibility.
“There are still lots of variables and at this point council is just requesting grant funding,” Barlow said.
The decision on funding will not be made until fall of this year, he said. If the city recieves the money, construction wouldn’t begin until late 2015 or potentially 2016.
Grants given out
Council agreed to give out a $200 grant to Turning Pointe Dance Studio in Castlegar for dance competitions taking place in Vernon and Calgary.
Additionally, the West Kootenay Camera Club will receive $300 for their 25th annual show.
No action taken on Connors road issue
A motion that council ask staff to take action on a January 19 letter regarding the Connors Road multi-use pathway received no backing, resulting in the motion failing.
A delegation from the neighbourhood appeared before council early this month, expressing their ongoing dismay with the project, completed last fall, and asking council to revisit the matter.
