Lantzville council moves to borrow $3 million for Dickinson Road

Resolutions passed 3-2, concerns raised over prematurity and borrowing loan

Lantzville council moves to borrow $3 million for Dickinson Road Published 11:30 am Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Lantzville council has approved three readings for a proposed bylaw that would allow the district to borrow about $3 million for improvements onto Dickinson Road – but two of the three reading votes were close. According to a report to council by Julia Seppola, director of financial services and Prab Lashar, chief administrative officer, the bylaw is set to borrow the funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Dickinson Road from Shook Road to Lantzville Road.

Staff recommended the borrowing, stating that the rehabilitation is a priority project and, while additional funding opportunities may become available, it isn’t expected to provide enough “to replace the amount that would need to be borrowed.” Additionally, more delays could increase future construction cost. Coun.

Jonathan Lerner backed the proposal, stating that borrowing funds for roads is not unusual when it comes to a project of this size. “This would be probably the largest road project in Lantzville’s history since incorporation, and many municipalities are having to borrow for infrastructure, sewer, water and roads because of the sheer cost,” Lerner added. Mayor Mark Swain also added his support, saying that they do not have enough money and the more they wait, they more it will cost Lantzville.

“We’re looking at a project that’s going to be about $5 million, and we just approved a motion that cost $700,000. So we have to borrow money,” Swain said. At the same time, Swain said he was not “too pleased” that they had to borrow the funds, noting that would lead to a seven per cent tax increase for 2027.

Coun. Ian Savage was against giving second and third readings to the bylaw, suggesting that to him, it was premature and said he would like to defer until after the Dickinson Road open house when they had more options to choose from. “It’s disappointing to me our most visible project, Dickinson Road, may require ... some borrowing, and perhaps leave the impression we don’t have money for infrastructure which is not the case,” Savage explained.

Coun. Joan Jones joined Savage in opposition, stating that she was not ready to approve a $3-million loan. “We have not had our resident input yet on what residents would like to see for Dickinson Road,” Jones added.

A motion to defer to the next Lantzville council meeting by Coun. Savage was defeated 3-2. Second and third reading also passed, with three votes in favour and two against.