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West Fernie Dike completion celebrated
Multi-year project provides additional flood protection for community
Representatives from the Federal and Provincial Governments along with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) gathered Nov. 15 to celebrate the completion of the $2.7 million West Fernie Dike Project.
The newly constructed West Fernie Dike system provides a one-in-200 year event level of protection for the community of West Fernie, Highway 3, and City of Fernie infrastructure and was completed in four phases.
“Our government recognizes the importance of modern and efficient infrastructure in achieving economic success,” said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay–Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “With today’s West Fernie Dike grand opening, we are strengthening local infrastructure while creating jobs and economic growth.”
Funding for all phases of the project was provided through the Flood Protection Program. Phase One of the project ($500,000) was cost shared by Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund and the Province of British Columbia. The final three phases were funded on a one-third cost sharing between the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund, Province of British Columbia and the RDEK Electoral Area A Mine Tax Sharing Fund.
“Families and businesses in West Fernie know the terrible impact flooding can have,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister Responsible for Core Review and MLA for Kootenay East. “This investment will improve flood protection, safeguard the quality of our water and support the local economy by protecting the Elk River sports fishery.”
Public safety in and around the Elk River in West Fernie has been significantly improved through the project, which was evidenced in June when unprecedented river levels resulted in widespread flooding throughout the region.
“Seeing this project completed has been one of my top priorities. In June, our area experienced significant flooding and the recently completed sections of the West Fernie Dike provided critical protection for the community, ” said Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski. “I would like to thank the province and the Government of Canada for their financial contribution. Without their support, this project would not have been possible. I would also like to recognize the RDEK staff and contractors who have completed the project well ahead of schedule and under budget.”
The project, which includes over 1,230m of diking and bank protection, started in 2008 and was scheduled to be completed in winter 2014.
The $8.8 billion Building Canada Fund was established under the 2007 Building Canada plan to fund projects from 2007 to 2014. The fund addresses national, regional, and local infrastructure priorities and supports projects designed to deliver results in three key areas: a stronger economy; a cleaner environment; and, strong and prosperous communities.
In 2008, the provincial and the federal governments each allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund (BCF-CC), to support local government infrastructure projects in communities with a population of less than 100,000 people.
Of this funding, $25 million was allocated to accommodate flood mitigation projects selected through the Provincial Flood Protection Program. The funding arrangements are brought to communities through the Provincial Flood Protection Program (FPP) of Emergency Management BC, the Federal Building Canada Plan of Infrastructure Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to- date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Pictured: Minister of Energy and Mines, Minister Responsible for Core Review and MLA for Kootenay East, Bill Bennett; Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski; RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay; and Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks on a recently completed section of the West Fernie Dike.
