An extra $2.1 million in federal Gas Tax funding will go toward Moose Jaw’s east feeder water mains project, cast iron pipe replacement program and enhancements to the Kinsmen Sportsplex.
Broken down, the east feeder water mains project will receive $1.175 million, the cast iron replacement program will get $500,000 and the Kinsmen Sportsplex will receive $425,000.
City council gave approval to split the funding three ways during its April 8 regular meeting. The east feeder mains project and cast iron replacement program received unanimous support, while Coun. Dawn Luhning was opposed to directing funding to the sportsplex.
“I personally think it should go into cast iron or the road rehabilitation project,” said Luhning. “If we’re ripping streets up (for the east feeder main project), we have to put them back the way they were. I believe that is where the priorities should be.”
Luhning added that it would be less expensive to finish the cast iron replacement project quickly, instead of dragging it out 20 to 25 years.
In his report to council, city manager Jim Puffalt had recommended that the one-time federal Gas Tax funding be split between the sportsplex, for $925,000, and the east feeder mains, for $1.175 million.
This would have meant 55 per cent of funding went to core infrastructure and 45 per cent to recreation. With how council voted, this split changes to 75 per cent for core infrastructure and 25 per cent for recreation.
The reason money from the Gas Tax funding wasn’t directed toward the cast iron project is there was a concern the work wouldn’t be completed this year since it is already mid-April, said Puffalt. Focusing on the other two areas allows administration to be strategic in planning while ensuring work can be completed.
There are 30 kilometres of underground water feeder mains throughout the city, Puffalt said. The east feeder main starts at the high service reservoir in the Lynbrook Golf Course and runs roughly 4.2 kilometres to the intersection of First Avenue Southeast and Lillooet Street.
The remaining steel component of the 60-year-old line ranges in size from 400 millimetres to 500 millimetres in diameter. The steel portions have seen more than 20 breaks in the last five years. This pipe has had more breaks than any other feeder in the city, which makes it a top priority for replacement, he pointed out.
Puffalt added that the last phase of the east feeder mains project — valued at $3 million before the Gas Tax funding — would see roughly 850 metres of 500-millimetre diameter water pipeline installed using open cut and trenchless methods.
Some of the proposed renovations at the Kinsmen Sportsplex would focus on installing a new system to make ice at the arena; upgrade the pool’s mechanical systems; replace part of the HVAC system; replace the dry line fire suppression piping; have separate fire and domestic cross connection protections; update the heat exchanger to a tankless system; exterior renovations and roof repairs; and interior renovations to areas such as the change rooms.
Puffalt noted completing all of those renovations would have reduced the capital requirements for the sportsplex during the next 20 years. The building would have become more energy efficient, while there would been less pressure on property taxes.
The next council meeting is April 22.
