Exciting Developments in Vernon: New Pool, Safer Streets, and Park Upgrades Underway!

The City of Vernon is planning to spend $28.6 million on various capital projects in 2025. Recently, they held an open house to share details with the community.

On March 6, nearly 200 residents attended the open house at the Recreation Centre. City employees from different departments were there to talk about how the funds will be used this year.

The most ambitious project is the Active Living Centre (ALC), located next to Kal Tire Place. It’s set to be finished by fall 2026, with a budget of around $135.9 million. Construction began in April 2024. Doug Ross, the ALC coordinator, mentioned that parts of the pool have already been built. He excitedly shared, “I stood inside the 25-meter pool last week. We’ve started digging for the 50-meter pool, and soon you’ll see the glulam beams going up. It’s going to start resembling a real building.” The visible structures are stairwells and elevator shafts.

The ALC has sparked a lot of conversations in Vernon. Most people Ross spoke with at the open house feel positive about it. Families can’t wait for their kids to enjoy swimming lessons, while older adults look forward to the hot tub and cold plunge pool. Ross also clarified some common myths, reassuring residents that the center will have plenty of fun features, like a waterslide and a ninja cross course.

Mark Dowhaniuk, the city’s infrastructure manager, shared updates on significant infrastructure projects. This year, they are focusing on three major ones: the roundabout at Silver Star Road and Phoenix Drive (to be done by the end of September), another roundabout at Pleasant Valley Road and 39th Avenue, and the Polson Park creek naturalization project.

Construction at Pleasant Valley and 39th will start on March 10. This roundabout replaces a stop sign to help ease traffic and improve safety for pedestrians. It will be closed for the project, with detours for everyone. The upgrade will also bring new lighting and anti-skid pavement to enhance safety.

As for the Polson Park creek project, phase one is complete. This included removing concrete structures and rebuilding the floodplain. The second phase is starting soon and will continue upstream. This project will wrap up this fall, and there are plans for new recreation options around the park afterward.

Many attendees were surprised by the number of projects planned for this year. Some initiatives are being led by the transportation department. Danielle DeVries, the transportation manager, emphasized the importance of the Transportation Plan, which will chart transportation projects for the next 20 years in line with the Official Community Plan.

For 2025, upcoming transportation improvements include a crosswalk on Silver Star Road, a multi-use path at 46th Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road, and new transit stops. The city is also working to enhance safety at busy intersections like 34th Street and 25th Avenue, and 27th Street and 48th Avenue.

One common question was about the upgrades to 20th Street, which are scheduled for 2027. Public engagement for the transportation plan will take place in May.

For more details about the capital works projects happening this year, check out the City of Vernon’s website.

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open house|Vernon|capital projects