The City of Richmond is applying for a $2.3 million grant to help remediate the lakes at Minoru Park.
According to a staff report going to council on Monday, the city is applying for $2,310,000 in funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – a B.C. program co-funded by the federal and provincial governments.
The plans for refreshing the area’s look include reconfiguring the ponds with the southeast section – currently over-run by cattails – converted into a picnic area.
The plan also includes using rainwater runoff east of the park in the renewed ponds and waterfall, and other features such as connections to greenways to the Oval and Lansdowne Village.
Work on the Minoru Lakes will be done in two phases, and the funding, if approved, will go towards the second phase.
The second phase includes a new stormwater detention pond and habitat and capacity improvements to an existing downstream open watercourse.
These receive stormwater diverted from the adjacent Mah Bing Street developments, Minoru Boulevard roadway and Richmond Centre.
The second phase also includes new construction and renewal work for adjacent plazas, pathways, lighting, furnishings and planting.
The work is estimated to cost $3,150,000, according to the report. If the grant is approved, the city would be responsible for the remaining project costs.
Work on the first phase of the project, meanwhile, is expected to begin this spring, and will focus on the main lake body with new construction and renewals to the lake liners, embankments, mechanical systems, irrigation, drainage, pathways, plaza spaces, planting and furnishings.
The lakes were constructed in the 1970s and the project came about due to infrastructure failure that resulted in poor water quality, increased use of potable water sources and increased requirements for city maintenance and operations, according to the report.
The grant application is on the agenda for Monday’s city council meeting.
—With files from Maria Rantanen
