This important community conversation is taking place now.
Facility challenges are growing and will exponentially worsen as the community grows and service demands increase.
Three critical facilities were identified in need of priority replacement in the 2019 Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan.
With 75% of municipal facilities at end of life, the community is faced with $200M +/- in facilities upgrades to service our growing community. Reserves and land sales are estimated at $60M, leaving a $140M funding gap.
The District has commenced an unprecedented period of facility analysis, design and construction through development of the Real Estate and Facilities Strategy (2018) and then adoption of a Master Plan in 2019.
What does this mean for Public Works?
We must use long-term borrowing for Public Works because it cannot attract external funding such as grants and partnerships. With only so much we can borrow each year, we must be strategic about which buildings we recommend borrowing for.
How did we get here?
Over decades, lack of planning and budgeting to build reserves for the eventual need to replace facilities has resulted in the current need for significant financial investments now and in the coming years. Read our "How We Got Here" backgrounder for more information.
Upgrades and expansion for the recreation centre are of great importance to the community and while the current focus is on replacing essential service facilities, plans to upgrade this well-used and well-loved community asset are also moving forward.
An expanded Public Works Facility with greater design flexibility will improve service delivery to meet the growing needs of our community.
Multiple service areas are accommodated:
A team of experts has worked with the District to carefully design the building to:
☑ Maximize use of space. At 32,000 ft², the proposed design is highly efficient per capita (Squamish population).
☑ Keep costs as low as possible.
☑ Maximize energy efficiency.
☑ Improve occupational health and safety, and ensure an accessible, equitable workplace.
☑ Ensure it is right sized for Squamish in 2040 and beyond.
Status | Class D budget, possible delay due to District funding approval |
Timeline | TBD pending funding timing |
Current works | Design 66% complete, pre-construction and site works under $5m (salt shed removal, soil remediation, preload) |
Budget | +/- $26m |
Next Steps | Engage design assist, engage groundworks trades, Class C budget |
Hurdles | Soil contamination cost and time addition to project, coordination with WWTP upgrading project |
Other | Nil |
Long-term borrowing over 20 years provides the most flexibility at a low interest rate with the least impact to taxpayers.
Borrowing is a valuable tool that helps to spread the cost of large capital projects over the life of a project, and amongst current and future taxpayers.
Long-term borrowing allows the District to:
☑ Divide the cost amongst all future taxpayers over time.
☑ Free up money for other projects and initiatives
☑ Fund major capital projects that have a long life span
☑ Reduce the average taxpayer impacts
Funding Impact by Borrowing Versus Property Taxation (per $1M assessed value):
Borrowing per year over 20 years (amount will reduce over time with population growth) | Property tax impact if funded in a single year (per $1M assessment) | Property tax impact if spread over two years (per year cost, per $1M assessment) | |
* Class 1 - Residential | $116.30 | $1,510.00 | $755.00 |
* Class 6 - Commercial | $298.80 | $3,880.60 | $1,940.30 |
* Other tax classes will also be impacted
* Tax impact numbers are estimates utilizing 2021 mill rates.
Key sustainability and climate-adaptation design features:
The District is seeking elector approval to finance the Public Works facility through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP).
An AAP is a legislated process via the Community Charter that gives municipalities an alternate option to seek approval of electors other than through a referendum. It is often used by local governments to seek community approval for debt-financing capital projects.