City Park Dog Run Faces $450,000 Budget Overrun: Urgent Council Meeting

URGENT UPDATE: The City Park dog run project is facing a significant budget overrun of $450,000, raising concerns among council members during a heated meeting on August 25, 2025. Originally approved in 2024 with a total budget of $900,000, the project has encountered unforeseen complications, prompting staff to request additional funds.

The dog run, initially estimated at $750,000 for construction and $150,000 for irrigation, has seen delays due to challenges in obtaining archaeological permits. These delays have pushed the expected completion date from fall 2024 to summer 2025. Public Works Manager Geert Bos explained that approximately $150,000 is needed to address these unexpected archaeological issues.

Council members expressed frustration over the increasing costs. Councillor Luke Stack voiced concerns about a $150,000 payment to Westbank First Nation, questioning the lack of competitive quotes for such a substantial expenditure. “Typically, we would require at least three quotes on a large project like that,” Stack stated, emphasizing the need for transparency in the budgeting process.

Despite the pushback, Councillor Gord Lovegrove commended city staff for their innovation and progress, urging them to continue applying lessons learned from the project. In contrast, Councillor Ron Cannan criticized the project management, indicating that residents on Sunset Drive had simply requested a basic dog park, not an elaborate setup. “I just think we’ve obviously overspent and it’s poorly managed,” he remarked.

Council member Rick Webber acknowledged that the council shares some responsibility for the budget issues, stating, “I think council has to take a certain measure of blame for not keeping the leash on this project.”

City Manager Doug Gilchrist defended the project amid the controversy, noting that it represents only 0.1 percent of the city’s $440 million capital budget for 2025. He highlighted the overall success of numerous projects being delivered on time and within budget despite challenging conditions.

As of now, crews are preparing to finalize the dog park, awaiting fencing to arrive from the Lower Mainland this week. The situation remains under close watch, with residents and council members alike eager for a resolution.

The growing budget crisis surrounding the City Park dog run has sparked significant discussion among council members and the community, highlighting the complexities of municipal project management. Residents are encouraged to follow this developing story as the council continues to address the budgetary concerns.