6 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Nanaimo council voted this week in favour of spending $1.8 million to obtain more precise information for possible improvements to its public works facilities.

 

The city wants detailed designs and cost estimates for the proposed upgrades, which failed to win public support when taxpayers faced alternative approval processes in recent years.

 

Nanaimo’s general asset management reserve fund would provide $1.314 million, another $162,000 would come out of the sewer operating reserve and $324,000 would be supplied through the water operating reserve fund.

 

 

https://www.timescol...grades-10306808

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 March 2025 - 03:48 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

Nanaimo council voted this week in favour of spending $1.8 million to obtain more precise information for possible improvements to its public works facilities.

 

The city wants detailed designs and cost estimates for the proposed upgrades, which failed to win public support when taxpayers faced alternative approval processes in recent years.

 

Nanaimo’s general asset management reserve fund would provide $1.314 million, another $162,000 would come out of the sewer operating reserve and $324,000 would be supplied through the water operating reserve fund.

 

 

https://www.timescol...grades-10306808

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Nanaimo is forging ahead with two new public works buildings at a cost of nearly $80 million.

 

It comes just 16 months after more than 10 per cent of Nanaimo taxpayers defeated borrowing for a similar project.

 

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...ldings-1307991/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 25 February 2026 - 09:30 PM.

[aastra]

First Surrey, then Saanich, now Nanaimo... does this mean pricey 21st-century public works/operation centre upgrades are now going to be a thing all over the place? Similar to the aquatic centre controversies that played out coincidentally in hundreds of different places at the same time?

 

If so, Victorians should probably brace themselves.

[aastra]

It's only ~$125 million, so please don't expect a building worth looking at. Oh, and housing is always the top priority except when it isn't.

 

 

...it will ultimately cost taxpayers $126 million, factoring in interest over 20 years...

“It’s fit for purpose. It’s an operational building, so it’s not going to be anything fancy. We don’t expect to win any architectural awards,"

 

--

 

 

As part of the construction, the city will be evicting those living at the supportive housing right beside the public works yard, which was first opened in 2018.

“They are aware of our project, and the agreement that the city has with the operator and BC Housing is such that with six months’ notice, they need to vacate the premises

 

[aastra]

 

...with six months’ notice, they need to vacate the premises.

 

I suppose we would file this as the good & responsible kind of eviction? As contrasted with the despicable kind of eviction that countless other news items have highlighted over the years?

[Matt R.]

We tried that with bc housing here for the Seabreeze motel project. The motel was purchased by the hospital foundation to renovate into housing for hospital workers.

Getting the B.C. housing tenants to leave took forever.

[Victoria Watcher]

The head of Pacific Housing says there’s no alternative supportive housing location for those living at Nikao on Labieux Road in Nanaimo.

 

Wednesday, the City of Nanaimo said it would be giving a six months notice of eviction to the supportive housing operator as part of its plan to build two new public works buildings.

 

But the operator says she won’t stand for the supportive housing to close without a place for its 66 residents to go.

 

For the past two years, Tony Shirley has called Nikao, the supportive housing facility on Labeiux Road in Nanaimo, home.

 

“It’s the make-or-break point. You have somewhere to go, you don’t have to worry that night. You know you’re going to have a roof over your head,” said Tony Shirley on how important Nikao is to him and the others living there.

 

For years before coming to Nikao, Shirley was living on the streets. He says he’s seen people turning their lives around here.

 

“Some of these guys, as I said, got jobs and stuff now, and they haven’t had jobs for a long time. Some of these guys are trying really hard. Some of them aren’t, but big deal, there’s always a weed somewhere,” said Shirley.

 

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...anaimo-1308204/

 

 

 

“Nikao is one of B.C.’s biggest success stories. We’ve been able to take individuals of the highest complexity of need from the streets of Nanaimo, help them stabilize and many move on,” said Ibarra.

 

She says they move on to recovery, permanent supportive housing, and in some cases, independent living.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 February 2026 - 07:51 PM.