Benefits for communities on oil pipeline’s path in limbo

Smoother golf greens, a spray park and a pedestrian overpass were among the goodies promised to several B.C. municipalities to help offset the headaches associated with the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

With the project now on hold, the “community benefit agreements” signed by 19 communities along the pipeline route are also in limbo, representing an opportunity for some local government candidates to question the handling of the controversial file.

In Abbotsford, where $1.3 million was promised to revitalize the city-owned Ledgeview Golf Course, candidates are debating the city’s decision to hit pause on plans to rebuild the course’s clubhouse, which was destroyed by fire more than two years ago.

Mayor Henry Braun, who is running for re-election, told the Abbotsford News that it would be financially irresponsible to go ahead with the project immediately, given the chance the city may not get the pipeline cash. At a recent all-candidates meeting, he said the city was “monitoring ” the situation.

But mayoral candidate Eric Nyvall said the city’s golf pros and players shouldn’t have to put up with “tents, portables and outhouses” while Trans Mountain’s fate is decided. The city should seek bridge financing to begin clubhouse construction now, he told Postmedia News on Thursday.

In neighbouring Chilliwack, design work is continuing on a pedestrian bridge, said a city spokesperson: “They have advised us that the grant is still available.”

The $1.2-million agreement was signed in 2016 to fund the Vedder greenway pedestrian-trail bridge.

Coquitlam is also proceeding with plans despite the uncertainty around the pipeline.

“Since the Government of Canada purchased the project, Trans Mountain advised us that the community benefit agreement would be honoured,” said engineering manager Jozsef Dioszeghy.

Touted by Trans Mountain as the first Metro Vancouver community to sign a deal in 2016, the city said it would accept $1 million to improve Mackin Park. A few months later, Coquitlam council specifically amended its approval of the compensation package to make it clear that accepting the deal wasn’t an endorsement of the project.

Trans Mountain spokeswoman Ali Hounsell said Trans Mountain is committed to delivering on its community benefit agreements, but the money is contingent on construction eventually getting underway.