Dear editor,
In a recent letter to the Record, a Royston resident properly highlighted the upcoming significant tax and service pressures for the seaside community, which parallels comparable challenges in Union Bay.
(Tax hikes will turn Royston into ‘Richton’ in the next decade, Nov. 29)
For context, I am providing details on the four generational projects driving this pressure and why the CVRD is pursuing them over the coming decade.
Water distribution pipe replacements
In much of British Columbia, water pipes constructed from the 1960s through the 1990s are coming to end of life, and Royston and Union Bay are not unique in facing costly replacements. The CVRD is utilizing long-term debt and saving money upfront to balance rate increases with future debt costs. This work simply must be done before major leaks and boil water advisories become the norm rather than the exception.
Transferring from Cumberland to Comox Lake water for Royston
Due to growth in Cumberland, the village has advised it must phase out supplying water to Royston. For the past few years, the CVRD has collaborated with the City of Courtenay and K’ómoks First Nation to build a new pipe to provide Comox Lake water to Royston and proposed K’ómoks Treaty Settlement Lands as a permanent solution. Together as partners, we have been able to secure significant grants and contributions for the project, but Royston residents will be responsible for $1.7 million out of the total $20 million project cost.
Fire hall for Union Bay
The current fire hall in Union Bay is too old and small to service the surrounding area. To reduce the cost of this project, we have obtained new land at no cost as part of the Union Bay Estates amenities, and this year we assigned a $1.2 million provincial grant towards the estimated $4 million build.
Sewage pipe to Royston and Union Bay
The opportunity to provide sewage treatment for both communities is finally aligned with municipalities agreeing to take the flows from Royston, Union Bay and K’ómoks Treaty Settlement Lands. Earlier this year, we secured a $30 million provincial grant and we are working to secure a similar amount in partner contributions for the $67 million project. Despite these significant sources of outside contributions, I will continue to search for synergies and more funding to alleviate the estimated $4.2 million cost for residents - we still have time to seek out more funds before construction begins in 2027.
These four generational infrastructure projects for Royston and Union Bay see the majority of funding coming from grants and partner contributions, and that is why the stars are aligned to complete them over the next decade. Renewing core infrastructure in Royston and Union Bay will benefit the communities for 50-100 years, and my commitment is to continue to turn every stone to make each project as cost-effective as possible.
Daniel Arbour,
CVRD Area A director