The City of White Rock wants more time to finish ongoing projects – including its Centre for Active Living – that are dependent on grant funding.
Councillors last week gave unanimous support for taking advantage of a government offer to extend the deadline for finishing projects supported by Recreational Infrastructure Canada and Build Canada grants to Oct. 31, 2011.
The original deadline was March 31.
“There is a significant financial risk if the city is not able to complete by March 31, 2011,” Rob Thompson, the city’s director of engineering and municipal operations, explained in a staff report recommending the city apply for the time extensions.
The city was approved for Build Canada funding for three projects: the Centre for Active Living ($2,161,060), revitalization of the museum and archives ($917,334) and the city’s pedestrian improvement initiative ($987,200).
The grants represent up to 66 per cent of the project funding.
RiNC grants – representing up to 33 per cent of funding – were to benefit 12 projects.
Of those, 10 are completed or underway.
The RiNC grants support three categories of project – sport field and infrastructure ($103,333), multi-purpose facility ($196,500) and promenade and parks upgrades ($430,070) – and are targeted at projects including the Oxford and Balsam washroom upgrades and renovations to Kent Street Activity Centre.
If the city doesn’t apply for the extensions and is unable to meet the March 31 target, it will be liable for any portion of those project costs that would have otherwise been covered by the grants. If it gets the extensions and doesn’t meet the Oct. 31 deadline, the same conditions will apply.
According to Thompson, the number of grants approved for city projects, staff workload, weather conditions and strict time limits on submitting proof of payment for the work all support asking for the extensions.
“There is a real chance that some of the necessary construction and associated paperwork will not be completed by March 31, 2011.”
Deadline to apply for the extensions was Jan. 14. Applications must include a council resolution committing to finishing the projects and accepting responsibility for any costs incurred beyond Oct. 31.
