08/20/2026
📢 NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
The Cowichan Bay Improvement District will be holding a Special General Meeting regarding the replacement of Tender 42.
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
📍 Cowichan Bay Fire Department
4461 Trans Canada Hwy, Cowichan Bay
🕡 Voter Registration: 6:30 p.m.
🕖 Meeting Begins: 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider long-term financing for the replacement of Tender 42 (Bylaw No. 121).
Eligible landowners will be asked to vote on proposed long-term borrowing of up to $325,000 for a term of up to 15 years to assist with the purchase and replacement of Tender 42.
💰 What will this mean for taxpayers?
For a home assessed at approximately $745,000, the estimated increase would be approximately $7.78 per year for 15 years to support the borrowing required for the replacement of Tender 42.
🚒 Why does Tender 42 need to be replaced?
Our existing Tender 42 is now 21 years old, and the water tank mounted on the apparatus is 50 years old and has reached the end of its service life.
Replacing Tender 42 is an important investment in the long-term reliability and capability of our fire department. The new tender will provide:
Increased water-carrying capacity, allowing us to bring more water directly to an emergency.
Improved pumping capacity to better support fire suppression operations.
Modern safety features that provide greater protection for our firefighters while responding to and operating at emergency scenes.
Improved reliability, reducing the risks associated with operating aging apparatus and equipment.
Continued support of our Superior Tanker Shuttle Service (STSS) accreditation, which Cowichan Bay Fire Rescue achieved earlier this year.
Our STSS accreditation demonstrates our ability to establish and maintain an effective water supply in areas where municipal hydrants may not be available. Tender apparatus are a critical part of maintaining that capability, and replacing Tender 42 will help ensure we can continue providing this level of service to our community for years to come.
Fire apparatus are long-term investments. The decisions we make today directly affect our ability to safely and effectively serve the community well into the future.
