B.C.'s capital hopes to obtain millions in grants that could help expand Victoria's tree canopy, revitalize a downtown landmark and lower the cost of potentially replacing the city's aging pool facility.
Council on Thursday (Sept. 26) unanimously voted to have staff apply for capital project grants totalling more than $35 million.
Up to $25 million from Canada's Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program for the Crystal Pool replacement project is the biggest prize the city is vying for.
With the current facility nearing its end of life, council this year approved holding a referendum on whether the public supports borrowing almost $170 million to build a new pool and recreation centre. The referendum that's expected to be held early next year will also ask voters whether they want a new facility at the centre's existing site, or one on the southern part of Central Park.
Victoria also aims to get up to $5 million from the Union of BC Municipalities for the recently approved revitalization of Centennial Square. The UBCM funding is for disaster-risk reduction and climate adaptation projects. City staff said the Centennial Square project fits that criteria as new trees, landscaping, stormwater management and interactive water features will help improve the downtown's site's resiliency to extreme weather.
Coun. Matt Dell said new trees in the revamped square will help children stay cool in the summer as downtown sees a large influx of families.
"It's going to be really important to give them some space to hang out outside and help on that climate file, so, in many ways, Centennial Square is overlooked as a climate adaption project," he said.
Boosting the number of trees in the city is a running theme among the grant opportunities as Victoria will try to get $2.5 million to increase its urban forest. That grant – which is funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities – would be used to increase the tree canopy in Victoria's heat islands and see more trees planted in parks, on boulevards and along Government Street.
The city is also seeking $1 million in provincial grants for active transportation and road safety improvements along Cook and Blanshard streets, plus $500,000 for new trees along those stretches.
Victoria also aims to obtain $2 million for an ammonia-free chiller at the city's arena and $500,000 for a flood prevention project.
