Smithers applies for grant to fund Princess Street multi-use path

A couple of options were discussed at tonight’s (Tuesday) Smithers council meeting around how to fund the multi-use path construction along Princess Street.

This is part of the Princess Street Upgrade Project, but the funding discussed would only be towards the path.

The option proposed by staff is to apply for a $411,000 grant through the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada Active Transportation Fund with $275,000 being footed by the town.

Councilor Frank Wray mentioned the town has Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) funding that could be used instead.

“Generally, I’m okay with applying for grants but my concern is if we don’t get the grant, the way pavement and everything else is going up lately, I would rather just get it done and move onto the next thing,” he said.

Mayor Gladys Atrill and Councilor Sam Raven agreed with Councilor Wray.

One of Councilor Raven’s reasons was because this is the second year of RBA and if by 2028, they haven’t used most of the funds provided, it could tell the province the town doesn’t need this money.

“The province gave us money to use for infrastructure and this is the perfect use for that,” Raven said.

“I feel like in our budget deliberations so far, we have often said, ‘this with RBA funding,’ that if we could be successful with this grant, I’d much rather it be funded this way,” said Councilor John Buikema.

Councilor Calvin Elliott sided with Councilor Buikema adding he doesn’t believe construction could begin this year.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that promises are promises and then something always falls down,” Elliott said.

Councilor Genevieve Paterson also agreed with applying for the grant.

Another concern voiced by Councilor Wray about going ahead with applying is if unsuccessful, the funding could be taken away after the federal election in October.

Mayor Atrill added if the town went ahead with redoing the roadway, residents would be disrupted again a year later so the path could be built.

“We can’t do the sidewalk until we do the road. So now we’re going to do the road and not do the sidewalk and that doesn’t make sense,” Atrill said.

With Mayor Atrill, Councilor Wray, and Councilor Raven opposed, council chose to go ahead with applying for the grant but could instead use RBA funding.