It cost the territory $100,000 to keep the pipes in the nearly empty Whistle Bend subdivision from freezing last winter.
Usually, the city pays for sewer and water services in Whitehorse, but because the territory still owns the land, the city isn’t responsible for paying the costs, said acting city manager Mike Gau.
In most areas of the city, residents’ regular water usage creates enough draw through the system to keep the pipes from freezing. But there aren’t enough people in Whistle Bend to keep the water running.
“The heating is allowing water to flow through the system, also called bleeding, which keeps both the water and sewer pipes from freezing,” Gau said in an email.
“The development agreement requires the Yukon government to pay for bleeding until consumption for residents is enough to keep the pipes from freezing,” Gau said.
When the territory put up for sale the second phase of Whistle Bend earlier this fall, no one bid on the lots and that site is still entirely empty. Gau said the city and the territory are still deciding what to do with the pipes in that part of the development for the winter.
At this point, the city won’t be responsible for the bearing those costs until at least December.
The transfer of Whistle Bend’s phase two lots from the territorial government to the city is delayed because of outstanding inspections reports on the paving work, according to the City of Whitehorse.
Gau said the majority of the inspections are finished, except for underground workings, which were not ready to be inspected. At this point, he didn’t know of any deficiencies or warranty issues. The reports should be completed soon, he said.
“If everything passes inspections and any deficiencies are addressed through warranty, we may have ownership by December,” Gau said.
If there are any minor repairs needed, they will be completed in the spring and shouldn’t delay the transfer, Gau said.
The Department of Community Services, which currently owns the land and is responsible for the construction contracts, was unable to comment by press time.
Ted Danyluk, the vice-president of Castle Rock Enterprises, which was contracted for the paving and surface work in phase two, said he is still waiting for a list of deficiencies from the territory, but that he’s been assured any required fixes will be minor.
Contact Jesse Winter at
jessew@yukon-news.com