The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) celebrated the official launch of the West Fernie Servicing and Restructure Project’s first phase along with approximately 40 residents at an information session hosted on June 23 at the Fernie Stanford Resort.
Phase 1 of the project will include most properties south of Highway 3 and will see upgrades to the water systems there as well as construction of sewer and storm drain services.
“This is an important milestone,” said RDEK Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski. “After the years of hard work by the RDEK, the City of Fernie, the provincial and federal governments and the community, I’m excited to see on-the-ground work about to begin.”
An overview of the project’s history, its objectives, timelines and information sources was presented during the information session.
Community opinion will be ongoing during of the project, with a Service Card survey delivered through GroundWorks packages to all West Fernie residents on the week of June 29.
Residents are expected to complete the cards prior to July 6 so that detailed information from West Fernie properties can be gathered to assist in project design and construction.
“We will continue to have communication with the community every step of the way. From community meetings like the one this week, to newsletters, emails … there will be lots of information available,” said Sosnowski.
The official Phase 1 construction contract will be awarded early next year and the phase is slated for completion in 2017.
An interactive website www.westfernie.ca has also been set up for residents to supply comments or ask questions.