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 reaching out to previous donors to provide important updates about changes to the Memorial Bench program. Please review the steps below to understand how these changes may affect your donation and what actions you may wish to take.
Understand the program changes
- The Memorial Bench program was formally discontinued in 2019.
- Decommissioning of the memorial benches will now proceed with the removal of the plaques.
2. Review your bench status
- The 10-year donation period for all memorial benches has ended.
- The City has fulfilled its contractual obligation.
- Letters were sent out May 2025 to past donors to advise the changes. Not all donors may have received letters due to out-of-date contact information.
- Plaques will be removed by December 31, 2025.
3. Plaque retrieval option
- 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 benchdonation@courtenay.ca
4. Future donation opportunities
- If a new program is approved, past donors will be given priority to donate before new applicants.
- New donations will be subject to updated fees and contracts.
5. Express interest in future participation
Notify the City by December 31, 2025 if:
- You would like your plaque returned.
- You are interested in donating a new memorial bench under the updated program.
Contact us at:
Phone: 250-334-4441 ext. 7231
Email: benchdonation@courtenay.ca
6. Stay informed
For ongoing updates and more information, refer to this project page.