In This Week’s Editor’s Note:
- Tofino: proposed water reservoir expansion
- Comox Valley: advance notice of Water Extension tender
- Courtenay: proposed 30-unit townhouse development
Tofino: proposed water reservoir expansion
The District of Tofino is advancing plans for a major expansion of the Ahkmahksis Reservoir as its preferred near- to medium-term solution for increasing water supply capacity and improving drought resilience. Council formally endorsed the reservoir expansion on September 1 following completion of the District’s Source Water Assessment. The project would nearly double reservoir storage capacity from approximately 22,750 cubic metres to 41,463 cubic metres, providing roughly 18,700 cubic metres of additional raw-water storage. Preliminary planning estimates the reservoir expansion at approximately $8.2 million, including replacement of components of the submarine pipelines. The work forms part of a much larger phased water infrastructure renewal program currently estimated at approximately $61.28 million, which also includes major upgrades to the Bay Street Pump Station and other water-system assets. The District will continue engagement with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation while advancing project planning and has been authorized to explore an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) or other progressive design-build procurement model for the reservoir expansion and associated water infrastructure works. Planning is intended to position the project for a senior-government funding application in 2027.
Comox Valley: advance notice of Water Extension tender
The Comox Valley Regional District is providing advance notice of an upcoming public tender for the North Package of the Water South Extension Project, which will extend the CVRD water transmission system to south Courtenay, Royston and K’ómoks treaty lands between Royston and Union Bay. The North Package is expected to include approximately 5.5 km of 450–500 mm HDPE water transmission main and fibre conduit within the City of Courtenay; 3.5 km of 200 mm PVC water distribution main within Courtenay and the Webdon Road/Carron Road neighbourhood; and 1 km of 250 mm PVC water distribution main in Royston. Work will also include construction of a new Royston Pump Station and two new water meter kiosks within the City of Courtenay. The project is currently in detailed design, with 90% drawings released for information purposes. The CVRD anticipates issuing the Invitation to Tender in late October 2026, followed by contract award in December 2026. Substantial completion is currently targeted for February 2028. The preliminary project budget is approximately $15.4 million, based on the funding allocations identified in the agreement, with 10% additional funds required in the respective budgets. The project has secured $7.4 million in provincial grant funding, with all grant-funded works required to be completed by March 31, 2028. More details about the advance notice are in this week’s New Tenders section.
Courtenay: proposed 30-unit townhouse development
Council has given third reading to a Zoning Amendment Bylaw for 3095 Lake Trail Road to rezone the property from Residential One A Zone (R-1A) to Medium Density Multi-Residential (RM-1). The bylaw is to facilitate a residential development of up to 30 townhouse units. As proposed, the applicant intends to build four buildings, potentially including stacked townhouses, in a mix of mostly two- and three-bedroom homes. The maximum building height is three storeys (11 metres), access will be from Lake Trail Road, and there will be shared amenity spaces, landscaped buffers and a private trail. The property is 1.08 hectares in the environmentally sensitive area of Arden Creek, with adjacent wetlands. As such, the development would include: permanent conservation of 5,786 m² (54% of the property); a 30-metre setback from the wetland; a 10-metre setback from Arden Creek; habitat restoration measures, including wildlife-friendly fencing, educational signage and environmental management requirements; and protection of most mature trees through a conservation covenant. The applicant has agreed to provide affordable housing through a housing agreement. This is an in-stream application, and the final commitment depends on whether Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) apply: if ACCs do not apply, two below-market two-bedroom units with rent set at 30% below median market rates for 12 years; if ACCs do apply, one below-market one-bedroom unit with rent set at 30% below median market rates for 10 years. Staff noted the property is within the municipal boundary and designated for urban residential growth and is identified in regional planning documents as a future settlement expansion area. A community information meeting was held in January. The application is generally consistent with the OCP, and a public hearing is prohibited.
Building Links Construction Reports and Statistics: The weekly #1 construction projects resource for 30 years. New and updated projects, permits, tenders, and industry connections for Vancouver Island – Central North, West Coast and Powell River. Helping you build connections so you can build communities! Where are you getting your information from? Support local trades – Subscribe Now!
