City Passes 2021-22 Capital Budget

City Passes 2021-22 Capital Budget
Posted on 03/10/2021
Charlottetown City Council has passed the 2021-2022 Capital Budget, with a total consolidated amount of $80.1 million, an increased investment of $33 million from the previous fiscal year. The $80.1 million for capital projects includes $11.5 million for the Water and Sewer Utility and $68.5 million for the City Corporation.

“After what was a challenging year for everyone, this upcoming Capital budget focuses on the strong foundation that the City has set in previous years with an eye to the future,” said Deputy Mayor Jason Coady, Chair of the City’s Finance, Audit and Tendering committee. “Our focus is on forward thinking Capital injections that will sustain infrastructure, create work opportunities, and improve the quality of life of our citizens as we begin planning for the recovery phase of this global pandemic. With this budget, we have established the groundwork for projects that speak to the priorities of City Council, which include community sustainability, transit, recreation, infrastructure and safety.”

The Capital Budget includes expenditures in parks and recreation in the amount of $19.2 million. This includes projects such as $15 million for the construction of the Simmons Sports Centre replacement facility; upgrades at the Eastlink Centre of $1.5 million for improvements associated with the 2023 Canada Games, as well as changes to the facility to accommodate CPHO guidelines; investment in the Bell Aliant Centre of $2.2 million including improvements for the 2023 Canada Games and upgrades to the air handling system; as well as major improvements to the Victoria Park shoreline of $900,000. For Public Works, the Capital budget is $33.4 million and includes $6.2 million for a new Annex building on MacAleer Drive; $5.4 million in paving and street rehabilitation; $650,000 for the construction of the Towers Road connection with Spencer Drive; preliminary planning costs for the Eastern Gateway Project; as well as $4.5 million for the construction of Fire Station #3.

Approximately $3.54 million is earmarked for fire, police, and emergency preparedness, which includes $1.92 million for the purchase of an aerial ladder truck. The City’s Capital investment also includes $8.27 million for community sustainability projects, including an expansion to the active transportation network, significant energy performance upgrades in City facilities, as well as improvements to the transit system.

Capital projects for the Water and Sewer Utility for 2021-2022 include finalizing work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, improvements to wastewater lift stations, and final costs for the decommissioning of the East Royalty Lagoon.

“As the Chair of the Finance Committee, I would like to personally thank the members of the Finance Committee, all members of Council, our dedicated City staff, and each of our partners for all of the hard work they have put in to bring this budget to fruition,” Deputy Mayor Coady said. “I look forward to continuing this process of collaboration as we finalize our operational budget.”

The City’s operational budget will be presented to the public at a meeting in March. An announcement will be made once the date has been finalized.

More information on the City’s 2021-2022 Capital budget is available online at www.charlottetown.ca/budget