Budget 2023 Update: New Information on Growing Communities Fund and Unsuccessful Charters Road Grant Results in Proposed Changes to Road and Parks Projects for 2023 Draft Budget

Staff presentation at March 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting

Monday, March 27, 2023 – At the March 21, 2023, Special Council Budget meeting Council received a report on proposed 2023 Capital projects.  Since that meeting, new information has been provided by the Provincial Government to staff on the Growing Communities Fund which is requiring revisions to the proposed projects.

Additionally, the District has received confirmation that Sooke was unsuccessful in the Charters Active Transportation Corridor Grant.  Due to the significant impact this grant notification has on the available funding for capital projects, staff have reviewed and revised the 2023 and 2024 Capital Plan for the roads and parks projects and will present a proposed solution to Council at the March 27, 2023 Regular Council meeting.

In short, the proposed changes suggest the following 2023-2024 roads and parks capital projects:

  • Annual Patch and Pave Program: $150,000
  • Charters Corridor: $6,950,000
  • Church Road Roundabout: $4,500,000
  • Little River Crossing (DeMamiel Creek Pedestrian Bridge): $2,330,000
  • Ravens Ridge Recreation Amenities: $1,100,000

Completion of the Charters Corridor and the Church Roundabout projects are the next priority projects scheduled for construction in the Transportation Master Plan and are required to be completed before undertaking the significant Throup Connector project.

Staff anticipate that, due to various timelines that will need to be considered that all projects, except for the annual patch and pave and the Sport Box, will be constructed between 2023 and 2024.  If these projects are supported by Council there will be no major capital road projects proposed for 2025 as the majority of the focus will be on the various requirements for the Throup Connector project.

Tonight’s Regular Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Sooke Municipal Hall, in Council Chambers. The meeting will also be live-streamed on the District’s YouTube Channel with a recording available after the meeting for those wishing to watch/listen to it at their convenience.

Learn more: