Coquitlam needs another $2 million next year to pay for the cost overruns to rebuild Spani Pool.
The additional one-time funding request in the draft 2024–2028 financial plan came before the city's finance standing committee today, Nov. 14, as part of an updated capital project funding wish list.
City staff say the cash boost for the tank will pay for the cost escalation and ensure there’s enough contingency in the budget to cover any more changes; it will formally come before council on Dec. 4.
Besides the pool, council will also consider eight other new funding requests in the five-year plan:
- $1.7 million = city hall main floor renovations
- $850,000 = Stoney Creek enhancements
- $571,000 = new fleet vehicles
- $444,000 = Local Government Climate Action Program
- $300,000 = James Park storm extension
- $200,000 = City Centre community garden
- $150,000 = recreation facilities’ people counters
- $100,000 = enhanced RCMP cellular connectivity
Staff are also asking council to set aside $2.4 million from reserves for these new programs in 2024:
- $600,000 = expanded sanitary CCTV
- $365,400 = RCMP vehicles
- $300,000 = additional in-stream maintenance budget
- $300,000 = additional roads section contractor budget
- $200,000 = police services model review
- $200,000 = RCMP equipment tracking system
- $150,000 = Accessibility Plan
- $150,000 = Austin works yard phased decommissioning
- $116,600 = digital evidence specialist (E-Division)
- $95,700 = e-Mobility manager
- $48,000 = temporary co-op student
- $41,500 = emergency co-ordination centre connectivity
- $25,000 = economic development competitive study
And staff are requesting $352,900, to be funded from capital projects, for three new civic positions:
- $150,900 = mechanical asset co-ordinator
- $114,100 = carpenter
- $87,900 = facilities assets co-ordinator
As for the $18.6 million that was announced in March from the provincial government for the Growing Communities Fund (GCF), Coquitlam council will look at allocating that windfall toward the city’s $751-million base capital plan over the next five years:
- Spani Pool renewal = $2 million (2024)
- Blue Mountain Park amenities = $6 million (2025)
- Town Centre Park amenities = $5 million (2025)
- Unallocated = $1.6 million
Earlier this year, council OK'd $9.6 million from the GCF for the Burke Mountain Joint School and Park; $5.6 million of the Development Cost Charge (DCC) eligible portion will be repaid.
Under the terms of the GCF, council must spend the money within the next five years.
'Not enough money'
Committee chair Coun. Robert Mazzarolo and Coun. Dennis Marsden said they're glad to see the GCF cash spread throughout the city; however, they also took aim at the province for not giving enough to Coquitlam given its size and growth projections.
By comparison, Burnaby took in $28.7 million, Vancouver received $49.1 million and Victoria got $12.8 million, while Metro Vancouver Regional District reaped $50.7 million to pay for capital projects such as roads, community centres and waste-water treatment plants.
Meanwhile, Coquitlam city staff are now finalizing the 2024–2028 financial plan following today’s meeting, as well as the presentations from civic department heads on Oct. 24 and 25.
The proposed capital plan is paid for using DCC, grants, reserves, property taxation, other general revenues and debt financing.
As for next year’s draft base capital plan, it includes $153.6 million over three years to build the Northeast Community Centre and the adjacent Burke Village Park and Plaza; this is in addition to the $8.5 million already greenlighted in past budgets.
