The Big Eddy Water Project is a go!

The Big Eddy Water Project is a go.

Sixty-five percent of the community’s 306 property owners petitioned the City in favour of proceeding with the project. They had to meet a deadline of 4:30 pm on Friday, February 5.

In order for the petition to be successful the City had to receive petitions from landowners representing 50% of the parcels and 50% of the assessed value in the proposed service area. The City received over 71% of the assessed values and 65% of the total parcels of land deeming the petition successful, says a statement issued by City.

“Council is pleased that the Big Eddy landowners successfully petitioned the City of Revelstoke and that more that $3.7 million in infrastructure grants (from the federal and provincial governments) will be accessed to make the necessary system improvements,” Mayor Mark McKee said in the statement. “We would like to thank the Big Eddy residents who worked with City staff to facilitate a positive outcome for the petition process. Their efforts are greatly appreciated.”

The petition to Council clears the way for the establishment of a local area service and the borrowing of up to $1.9 million for the purpose of upgrades and expansion of the Big Eddy Water system. The petition also authorizes the dissolution of the Big Eddy Waterworks District/ The City will now take over the water system.

The next include a tendering process for detailed design work and authorization from the provincial Inspector of Municipalities on the establishment of the Local Area Service Bylaw as well as authorization for the Borrowing Bylaw required of the City.

“The water upgrade will provide the Big Eddy residents with a long-term sustainable system, meeting provincial standards. We are hoping to start detailed design work shortly, with some construction possible before the end of 2016,” Mike Thomas, Revelstoke’s director of Engineering and Development Services, said in the statement.