The UNA is getting behind a growing chorus of voices in opposition to a proposed double digit increase in rates charged by a company providing heat and hot water to 17 buildings in Wesbrook Place.
During May’s UNA board meeting, directors voted in favour of a motion to draft a letter to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) that urges the regulator to reject an application by energy company Corix Utilities to increase their rates by a range of 12 to 18 per cent annually over the next three years.
If approved, affected ratepayers in Wesbrook could see an increase in their bills by 45 per cent over three years. The company has received interim approval by the regulator, but the review process is continuing with a final decision expected in fall 2025.
A draft copy of the letter authored by UNA board chair Eagle Glassheim circulated during the meeting says the rate increases would place an “unfair and unsustainable” burden on affected households.
“At a time when many residents are already struggling with rising living expenses, this dramatic increase feels particularly unfair and unsustainable,” the draft letter reads.
“Affordability must be a priority, and the cost of energy is essential for the well-being of our community. Lower-income households, in particular, would bear a disproportionately large burden of this increased energy cost.”
Vancouver-based Corix provides hot water and heat through a central Neighbourhood District Energy System that includes two energy plants—one next to Pacific Spirit Regional Park just south of Binning Road and Gray Avenue, the other along the South Campus Greenway, near the entrance of UBC Farm. Both plants use natural gas to heat water before it is distributed through an underground pipe network.
Last year, a Corix official told The Campus Resident the system provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to provide heat and hot water to customers in the Wesbrook neighbourhood.
Buildings in Wesbrook currently connected to the system and subject to the proposed rate increase include: Prodigy, Binning, The Laureates, Webber House, Village Square, Virtuoso, Cypress House, Pine House, Eton Tower, Residences at Nobel Park, Georgia Point, Oakwood, Mundell House, Ivy on the Park, Conservatory, Echo, and Theory.
The system was upgraded last spring with the intention of expanding to all future residences in the area.
A review process by the BCUC is ongoing, with members of the public being offered the opportunity to submit letters of comment until June 24 through the regulator’s website.
The UNA says community response has been strong. As of May 28, 83 letters in opposition to the rate increase have been submitted.
UBC Properties Trust (UBCPT), Wesbrook’s largest landlord, has requested to act as an intervener in the proceedings, which allows the organization to actively participate by submitting questions, arguments, and evidence on the matter.
UBCPT says it operates 881 units of rental housing connected to the Corix system. A total of 1,744 condominium units in Wesbrook Place are connected.
In its submission to the regulator, UBCPT says the system is “high cost” and should be phased out with affected buildings retrofitted with heat pumps.
Bike Share Expansion Faces Scrutiny
A resident addressed the UNA board to voice concerns with the proposed expansion of the Mobi Bike Share system in Hampton Place.
A new station for the bike share system, which is currently being expanded throughout campus, has been proposed for the neighbourhood and would be installed on the street, just a few metres west of Wyndham Hall at 5683 Hampton Place. The space is currently designated as parking for the Evo carshare program.
A representative of the Wyndham Hall Strata Corporation told directors the proposed 12-bike station would create safety issues for motorists and pedestrians, while reducing available guest parking near their building, impacting tradespeople and delivery services.
The representative said residents are not opposed to the concept of bike-sharing but asked the UNA to advocate on their behalf and ask UBC planners to find an alternative and “less disruptive” location.
Carole Jolly, a director at UBC Campus & Community Planning, said plans for the bikeshare station have been put on hold. In the meantime, she said the rollout of the campus-wide Mobi expansion is ongoing and discussions will continue on Mobi’s presence in Hampton Place.
New Farm Centre in the Works
During a presentation to directors at the meeting, Sean Smukler, director at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, said a new facility is being planned at the farm.
Smukler said he wants the community to see the facility as a resource hub for information about the farm and sustainable agriculture.
“The idea is to make what is currently a three-season facility into a four-season opportunity,” he said.
Planners are currently in the final phase of the design process and are aiming to have construction commence in December with occupancy in June 2027.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.