Courtenay celebrates completion of 1st Street Lift Station

The City of Courtenay is celebrating the completion of the 1st Street Lift Station, a critical piece of City infrastructure that provides sewer service to the Puntledge neighbourhood.

Construction on the 1st Street Lift Station upgrades started in spring 2024 and was completed in early 2025. On April 1, members of Courtenay Council gathered on site to acknowledge the work of those who contributed to the project.

The lift station at the entrance to Puntledge Park services the Puntledge neighbourhood and was at the end of its service life. The new lift station increases system capacity and significantly lowers ongoing maintenance costs and risks.

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said the upgrade has had an immediate positive impact in the area. “Replacing this lift station has improved sewer service for this growing neighbourhood and has eliminated the need for the additional maintenance required to operate aging infrastructure, so it’s a win-win,” said Wells. “This modern system is safe and robust enough to support the needs of Courtenay residents today, and well into the future.

“We want to thank the neighbours, Puntledge Park visitors, and commuters who were so patient during the busy construction season last summer,” added Wells.

The $4 million project was funded through a combination of long-term borrowing and reserves.

The major construction work on the project was done over the spring and summer months to protect the sensitive fish habitat in the Puntledge River and nearby Morrison Creek.

To learn more about the 1st Street Lift Station upgrades, visit www.courtenay.ca/1ststreetliftstation.

Fast Facts

Upgrades completed the 1^st Street Lift Station project included:

• 7 metre wet well, with automated controls,
• 450-metre gravity sanitary sewer main on 1st Street
• 250-metre force main between 1st Street and Pidcock Avenue

Quotes

“Replacing this lift station has improved sewer service for this growing neighbourhood and has eliminated the need for the additional maintenance required to operate aging infrastructure, so it’s a win-win. This modern system is safe and robust enough to support the needs of Courtenay residents today, and well into the future. We want to thank the neighbours, Puntledge Park visitors, and commuters who were so patient during the busy construction season last summer.” - Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells.