The Town of Vermilion will be finishing upgrades to its existing sewer collection infrastructure.
The proposed project aims to complete the remaining upgrade of the sanitary main from west of Highway 41 to the west of the wastewater treatment plant.
Public advertising work for the borrowing bylaw has been completed.
“We’ve finished the advertising process as well as the petition process, I did not receive any petitions,” said Brian Leibel, director of corporate services.
“Not having received any petitions on it, we can move ahead with approval.”
The project is proposed to be a five-year phased initiative. Replacement was needed due to the current line’s deteriorated state and maximum capacity.
The line upgrade will enhance its condition while supporting the development of the North Brennan neighbourhood.
“With our industrial areas filling up so quickly, I think the need for these residential locations is ever-growing and there’s people more and more looking at Vermilion there’s just nowhere to build, move or live. I think this is exactly what we need,” said Deputy Mayor Joshua Rayment.
The financial implication of the project would see an increase to long-term debt of $2.25 million if no alternate funding sources can be found for the project. The expected interest rate on the loan is 4.89 per cent with semi-annual payments of approximately $78,461.
Administration does plan to pursue other grants to fund the project.
Rayment is happy to see the funding be put in place to start the project but wants to stress they are working on getting grant funding.
“It’s great that we’re putting this in preemptively, but I just want everyone to understand this is preemptive funding to hopefully allow us to be planned to move into this project when we receive our grant funding,” he said.
The budget and funding source was approved in the 2025 capital budget and the bylaw must be in place, even if the borrowing is not utilized in the future, to allow staff to move forward.
Rayment says this is an important project in building up residential areas in Vermilion.
“I feel like if we get this it’s an important milestone for the Town of Vermilion being able to develop more lots and finally be able to grow on the residential side of our community,” he said.
Vermilion council passed the bylaw giving it second and third reading.
Read more: Vermilion looks to upgrade sewer
