Millions of dollars for new projects in Dawson Creek approved for consultation as budget approval process continues

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Millions of dollars in additional funding for new and ongoing projects throughout the City of Dawson Creek will go forward to public consultation as council continues preparing its five-year financial plan. 

The City of Dawson Creek council has tentatively approved funding for a list of projects planned for 2025 as the city continues to prepare the official 2025 budget and 2025-2030 financial plan.

The specific breakdown of funding distribution between the projects has yet to be determined, and will be subject to public consultation on February 10th. 

During the January 27th regular council meeting, staff provided the City of Dawson Creek council with a list of new 2025 capital projects and projects still in progress from previous years that have been given additional funding. 

According to an accompanying staff report, the list of projects is anticipated to cost $26.9 million in 2025. Of that, carryover projects are anticipated to account for $2.7 million. 

Approving capital plans before adopting the five-year financial plan bylaw is “essential for ensuring successful project execution”, staff stated.  

The recommendations included $55,000 for maintenance and fence work at the Dawson Creek Regional Airport. 

Staff confirmed security at the airport was a major concern due to gaps in the fencing wide enough for wildlife to travel through.

Applications have been submitted for third-party grants to assist with repairs and public work around the airport. However, if the applications are not successful, the fencing is a high priority and will be addressed in 2025 using the funds approved by council. 

The council also voted to approve the recommendation that $5.9 million be allocated for new and ongoing facilities capital projects. 

These projects include designs for a new City Hall Cenotaph, flooring and building upgrades to the fire hall, RCMP detachment security and building upgrades, as well as tree removal and soil containment at Brookside Cemetery.

Approximately $6 million for paving projects, $625,000 for sidewalk projects, and around $3.1 million for drainage capital projects were also approved by council. 

Possible paving projects planned by the city include general road patching, condition assessments and paving projects on 110th Avenue and 95th Avenue. Sidewalk projects include bus stop improvement plans, upgrades to street lighting and beautification efforts in the downtown area. 

Approximately $2 million was also approved for water capital projects and $8.3 million for sewer projects. A further $658,960 was approved in the capital budget for “equipment pool capital projects”. 

“Equipment pool capital projects” include purchasing an equipment diagnostic reader, an airport tractor and flex wing rotary mower, several one-tonne and half-tonne pickups for various departments, and ride-on mowers for parks and airport maintenance. 

The city has extensive plans for sewer upgrades, phase one of the sewer trunk main replacement and lagoon aeration. 

The capital plan also details upgrades and improvements to water infrastructure throughout the city such as valve upgrades, fixed-network water meter reading infrastructure and replacing media filters and underdrains at the city’s water treatment plant. 

Public consultations are being held for the 2025-2030 financial plan on February 10th. Drafts of the budget have been approved by council, however the city continues to work on refining details ahead of a consultation and official vote. 

Residents can attend in person, or send their opinions to City Hall by 12 p.m. on February 7th to have them included in the meeting agenda.

To read the complete capital projects report for the City of Dawson Creek, read below.