Gibsons is moving forward with a grant application to the provincial Disaster Resiliency and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program, seeking $1.1 million to complete seismic upgrades to the School Road Reservoir.
At a special council meeting on June 25, staff presented the proposal, noting the project is in the town’s five-year financial plan as a capital project for next year. “We anticipated 60 per cent grant funding when we put that budget together. Fortunately, the DRIF program would fund up to 100 per cent, so it's even better news,” said Trevor Rutley, director of infrastructure services.
The upgrades follow a 2024 seismic structural analysis by Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, which “identified deficiencies that would likely cause the reservoir to fail due to design seismic loading,” a staff report said.
The DRIF program offers full funding for projects that improve resilience to natural and climate-driven disasters. Staff confirmed that the seismic upgrades “align well with the program goals.”
The application process begins with an expression of interest, which was due June 27, and if that’s successful, the town will be invited to submit a full application.
Council discussed consultation requirements.
“Given there's no groundbreaking involved and there's no archaeological, there's no environmental impact, because it's an enclosed reservoir, we don't see it as a project that we would typically have referred to Squamish Nation,” Rutley noted.
However, he added that a notification would be submitted through the Squamish Connect portal if the project advances.
Coun. David Croal expressed support for the application and future opportunities, “I noticed in the application documentation that foreshore restoration was one of the categories that you could apply for.”
Rutley said he thinks it would be a great program for potential future foreshore restoration work, as possible sites are identified.
Council unanimously passed the motion to apply for the grant.
At the same meeting, council approved a contract amendment to advance the reservoir seismic design.
Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC was selected to proceed with detailed design work for seismic upgrades to the reservoir.
The amendment will allow Ausenco to complete detailed design, tender support, and construction support services, as well as optional services including reservoir inspection and environmental planning.
A staff report clarified that the total contract value will not exceed $240,000.
“This would allow us to advance the design of the improvements to the reservoir efficiently and have detailed plans and a cost estimate to support the full grant application that was just supported,” said Rutley. “Generally, the more refined the design and the better your cost estimates, your higher likelihood of success with the grant application.”
The project is part of the Town’s 2025–2029 Financial Plan. When asked about funding, Rutley clarified it would come through utility fees for water. “So it wouldn’t come by general taxation. It would have been fee financed… through some combination of reserves and the operating funds of the water utility.”
Council unanimously approved the contract amendment.
Jordan Copp is Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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