Program pending Council approval
Until the program is adopted by Council, the program is subject to change.
Staff are not accepting new waitlist requests until the program has officially started. We anticipate the new program will launch spring 2026.
Bench Donation program
Council has approved the development of a new Bench Donation program. This includes creating a formal policy.
Council has directed staff to develop the new policy and return with a draft for final approval. The program is expected to take about a year to develop, as it is a lower priority on the current work plan.
Staff will also identify possible new bench locations during park planning and trail reviews.
The updated program will include revised fees and a new contract under the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Steps for past bench donors
The City of Courtenay is contacting former donors with important updates about changes to the Memorial Bench program. Please review the steps below to see how these changes may affect your donation and what you may wish to do next.
Understand the program changes
- The Memorial Bench program was formally discontinued in 2019.
- The City will now begin decommissioning memorial benches by removing the plaques. The benches themselves will stay in place, but without the plaques.
2. Review your bench status
- The original agreement (shared with each donor at the time of donation) stated that bench donations were for a 10-year term. All former bench donations have expired.
- The City has fulfilled its contractual obligations under these agreements.
- In May 2025, the City mailed letters to past donors to explain the changes and invite them to contact us by December 31, 2025, if they would like their plaque returned. Some donors may not have received these letters because their contact information was out of date.
- All plaques will be removed by December 31, 2025.
3. Plaque retrieval
- If we are unable to contact a past donor, removed plaques will be stored at the City Operations Centre until December 31, 2026.
- If you would like your plaque returned, contact us at 250-334-4441 ext. 7231 or email benchdonation@courtenay.ca.
4. Future donation opportunities
- If a new program is approved, past donors will be given priority to donate before applications open to others.
- Any new donations would follow updated fees and contract terms.
5. Express interest in future participation
Notify the City by December 31, 2025, if you would like your plaque returned and you are interested in donating a new memorial bench under any future program.
Contact us at phone: 250-334-4441 ext. 7231 or email: benchdonation@courtenay.ca.
6. Stay informed
For ongoing updates and more information, refer to this project page.