Introduction and Project Background

For nearly 70 years, the Cherry Creek Waterworks District (CCWWD) has been providing potable water and fire protection services to the residents of Cherry Creek (see context map for location details). In recent years, the Improvement District has faced a number of challenges due to various key factors including: aging infrastructure, rising costs (both construction and administrative), reduced capacity (both staff and elected officials), and the inability to access senior government grants. This has led the CCWWD Board of Trustees to consider a potential governance change – namely the conversion of the Cherry Creek Waterworks District to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD).

In 2023, the CCWWD commissioned Connections Planning Associates to conduct a high-level overview of Cherry Creek governance and services (click here(External link) to view the document), which was presented to the CCWWD Board for information on September 20, 2023. Since then, the CCWWD, in conjunction with the ACRD, have received funding from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (“the Ministry”) to undertake a more detailed Conversion Study, to explore the potential operational, administrative, and financial impacts of service conversion. Connections Planning Associates and Urban Systems Ltd. were recently selected to undertake this project, which will include community engagement and consultation throughout the study.

The primary purpose of the study is to inform and consult with the community regarding the potential conversion of CCWWD to the ACRD, in order to gauge community interest. No formal decision will be made as part of this study, which would typically require a community referendum by residents and property owners, which could occur following this study depending on community feedback. This website will provide the main portal for information sharing and community feedback, along with upcoming opportunities for public engagement. Thank you for your interest in this study.

Please visit the following website for the full information about the Public Information Session: Cherry Creek Waterworks District Conversion Study | Let's Connect ACRD (letsconnectacrd.ca)