Neill St and Village Green Improvements Project

This project, approved in the 2022-2026 Financial Plan combines 2 different Community Services and Infrastructure and Public Works Division projects:

1. The replacement of an aging 166m Asbestos Concrete watermain on Neill Street between First Street and Third Street.
2. The redevelopment of the Village Green, including:
   1. Replacing of the tennis/pickleball court surface and subsurface, replacement of all sport court fencing and equipment, and accessibility improvements to both (basketball and tennis/pickleball) courts
   2. Development of a sidewalk connecting Second Street with Third Street
   3. Improved on-street parking infrastructure to support expansion of the downtown pay parking program

Village Green Project Location:

Neill Street Water Main Replacement Location:

Background

In 2012, Koers and Associates completed The District’s 2012 Water Capital Plan. The plan called for the replacement of the aging Asbestos Concrete watermain on Neill Street. In 2022, The District engaged McElhanney Engineering to evaluate the existing surface condition and defects of the sports courts and identify suitable improvement options. While the basketball surface was found to be in fair condition, the tennis court surface was found to have significant cracking, and poor, non-homogenous subsurface materials, and required complete replacement.

Combining 2 Projects into 1

The two projects are being proposed to be completed concurrently to achieve a number of efficiencies by having the same civil contractor mobilized to the site to complete excavation of the road shoulder and slope bordering the tennis court area, combined road and retaining wall works, shared concrete and sidewalk works, shared traffic control, asphalt mobilization, line painting, and remedial landscape works.

A rendering of the Neill St and Village Green Improvements Project

Costs and Funding:

Engineered cost estimates based on the combined project scope puts the total project cost at $1,821,387. The project is proposed to be funded from a combination of sources including:

Projected total costs and funding sources for the Neill St and Village Green Improvements Project

Project Benefits:

The replaced court will improve the safety and experience of users of Tofino’s outdoor public facility while reducing the District’s risk of liability. Improved accessible pathways into both courts will create a more inclusive facility. The installation of a safe and continuous sidewalk in this area of downtown supports accessibility and public safety while continuing to work towards the goals set out in both Tofino’s Downtown Vitalization Plan and Multi-Modal Transportation Plan.

- Improve the safety and experience of users of Tofino's outdoor public tennis/pickleball courts

- Improved public safety in the downtown core

- Reduced risk of infrastructure failure

- Reduced maintenance expenses

- Reduced risk to the District due to park user/public injury

- Improved accessibility to Tofino's primary developed park space as well as downtown pedestrian network, resulting in a more inclusive facility and community

- Improved parking amenity on Neill Street, bordering Village Green Park

The project is also strongly supported by Council’s current Strategic Plan, the 2021 Official Community Plan as well as the District’s Recreation Management Plan, and asset management goals by replacing aging infrastructure.