Winnipeg unveils $430M capital budget

The City of Winnipeg unveiled its preliminary $430-million capital budget on Monday with funding for several new projects, including upgrades at Assiniboine Park.

The document was tabled by the executive policy committee, also known as the mayor's cabinet.

It includes:

• $20 million forhiking, biking and other non-vehicle trails, bringing the city's total active transportation investment to $22.2 million in 2010.
• $54.7 million over the next two years for a network of roads in the developing Waverley West neighbourhood.
• $8 million for Assiniboine Park redevelopment.

Of the latter, $5.1 million would go towards repairs and upgrades while nearly $2.9 million will be spent on attractions like the expansion of the park's duck pond and the development of a new family centre.

'By spending more, basically, you know, we beat inflation. If you sit around and don't do anything, its only going to cost you more to wait.' Mayor Sam Katz

The proposed park plan calls for $180 million worth of redevelopment over a decade. The plan includes a nature playground, tree forts, a rushing river for tubing, a world-class polar bear enclosure and a family centre that overlooks the duck pond and English gardens.

Hartley Richardson, chair of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, has said $45 million for the 10-year project would come from the private sector.

Less spending than in 2009

The proposed 2010 capital budget is significantly less than the one in 2009, which contained $476 million in spending. But despite tough economic times, the city is forging ahead with some major expenditures, Mayor Sam Katz said.

"By spending more, basically, you know, we beat inflation," he said. "If you sit around and don't do anything, its only going to cost you more to wait."

The budget proposal also makes sure the city can take care of "the basics," Katz said.

The lion's share of the budget pays for roads, police cars, buses, bridges and other infrastructure matters.

The city's operating budget, typically released in February and voted on in March, is the largerof the twoand covers the expense of running city services everything from the police service to garbage pickup and recreation facilities. Last year, it totaled $785 million.

"This year's capital budget continues to meet the priorities of Winnipeggers and offers solid investment in our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects," said Katz. "Although we continue to face the challenges of a growing infrastructure deficit, our budget team has worked diligently to address priorities while effectively using our available resources."

The budget is part of the executive policy committee's overall 2010-2015 preliminary capital investment plan, which will be finalized over the next several weeks, through a process of review and feedback from council and the public.

The six-year plan authorizes $2 billion in investments in priority streets and bridges, water and sewer infrastructure, and parks and community facilities.

Highlights of the plan include:

• $812 million for sewage disposal projects, partly becauseofprovincial environmental requirements.
• $498 million for roads and bridges, with $183 million to be spent in 2010 alone, a 90 per cent increase in street projects authorized in 2009.
• $147 million for the water system.
• $156 million for parks, community infrastructure and amenities,including $72.4 million for community and recreation facilities.
• $79 million for land drainage and flood control.
• $62 million for public safety infrastructure.

Following the public consultation process, the committee will table its final recommendations on Dec. 4, The plan will then be voted on at a special meeting of city council on Dec. 15.

Members of the public who wish to appear as a delegation at one of the public meetings are asked to call 311 to make the necessary arrangements.

Meeting times include:

• Nov. 30, 9 a.m. standing policy committee on protection and community services.
• Dec. 1, 9 a.m. standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works.
• Dec. 3, 10 a.m. standing policy committee on property and development.
• Dec. 3, 1 p.m. special meeting of the executive policy committee.

The report on the preliminary capital investment plan is available for viewing on the city's website by clicking the link at the top right of this page.