Every day, residents of the Comox Valley rely on the essential infrastructure that makes life possible — clean drinking water, wastewater management, parks, trails, and community facilities. Behind the scenes, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is taking important steps to ensure these systems continue to serve the community well into the future through a renewed focus on Asset Management.
“Just like your car or home needs regular maintenance, our community’s infrastructure requires care, planning, and investment,” explains Will Cole-Hamilton, CVRD Board Chair. “Asset management helps us make smart, proactive decisions about when to repair, replace, or upgrade the assets that keep our community running.”
Planning Today for a Reliable Tomorrow
Asset management is the coordinated process of monitoring, maintaining, and renewing infrastructure to deliver services in the most cost-effective and sustainable way possible. The approach is guided by two new strategic documents — the Asset Management Policy and the Asset Management Strategy. Together, these provide a clear direction and a structured plan of 14 initiatives designed to improve data quality, strengthen decision-making, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
By taking a data-driven and risk-based approach, the CVRD aims to:
- Reduce service disruptions like water main breaks or facility closures
- Improve financial planning and avoid costly surprises
- Get the best value from every tax dollar
- Strengthen eligibility for grants and external funding
- Build resilience against climate-related challenges such as flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather
Why Asset Management Matters
Across Canada, communities are facing aging infrastructure, growing populations, and increasing costs. In the Comox Valley, some assets are nearing the end of their expected lifespans. Without reliable data and long-term planning, unexpected breakdowns can lead to emergency repairs, higher costs, and service interruptions.
Asset management helps us move from being reactive to proactive. It’s about making informed choices now to protect the services people depend on — from clean water and wastewater treatment to recreation facilities and parks and trails.
A Collaborative, Long-Term Effort
This new chapter of asset management at the CVRD is not just about systems and spreadsheets — it’s about culture. The program encourages collaboration across departments, promotes accountability, and supports evidence-based decision-making. Progress updates will be shared regularly with the Board and the Comox Valley community.
For more information on asset management and to watch an informative video about the process as a whole, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/assetmanagement.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Lucy Wiwcharuk
Chief Financial Officer
250-334-6004