THUNDER BAY — The City of Thunder Bay should be spending $32 million more per year than it's currently spending just to keep existing infrastructure in proper condition.
City council has known about this infrastructure gap for some time, but more light is shed on existing and looming problem areas in a new 146-page report.
Municipal staff have prepared the second phase of the city's asset management plan, which is required under provincial regulations and is intended to be a comprehensive reference for the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, disposal and replacement of the city's assets.
These assets are classified as transportation, drinking water, wastewater, storm-water, facilities, fleet and machinery, equipment, and land improvements.
In recommending approval of the document, staff note that without addressing the deficit, some city assets will not receive the maintenance or renewal they require on a timely basis.
They caution that "The continued employment of assets beyond their useful lives means accepting a lower standard of infrastructure conditions and a higher level of operating costs. Until the gap is closed, annual funding shortfalls will continue creating a backlog of maintenance, deteriorated condition of assets, and higher operating costs."
According to the report, the average age of all classes of city assets is 45 years, and their average condition is currently "fair."
Here are some of the specific ratings:
- 31 per cent of the road network is considered to be in good or very good condition, while 35 per cent is poor or very poor
- The water pollution control plant is in good condition, but the sanitary sewer system (average age 63 years) is in poor shape
- EMS and fire facilities are in good condition; city hall, the Whalen building and Victoriaville Civic Centre are fair
- Operations facilities, including the Egan Street yard, Mountdale Avenue yard, solid waste & recycling, animal services, Parks North, traffic control and street lighting, are in poor condition
- Parks facilities including those at Prince Arthur's Landing, Chippewa Park, Trowbridge, Centennial Park, golf clubhouses and other parks buildings are poor
- Transit buses (avg. age 10 yrs) are in good shape but police and EMS vehicles are only fair (avg. age 6 yrs)
- Fire vehicles are in very good condition (avg. age 12 yrs)
- EMS, police and fire equipment (other than vehicles) is rated in poor condition
- Heavy machinery such as graders, loaders and excavators is in poor condition
The province requires asset management plans to ensure consistency among municipalities across Ontario and to help them budget and prioritize capital projects.
But the city staff report notes they can also serve as a tool for the provincial and federal governments to determine how to allocate grants.
"The goal of the Plan is to provide sustainable services through asset management, building a resilient community with valued, sustainable services. It provides a comprehensive reference for the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, disposal, and replacement of the city’s assets based on sound asset management practices and principles," the report states.
Council will consider the document at its meeting next week.
By July 2025 the city will complete the third and final phase of the plan, including a life-cycle management and financial strategy for all assets.
Among other things, it will outline options and risks, estimate the annual costs, and project sources of funding.
