Powell River Community Forest’s $1.2 million dividend will fund projects that will make a significant difference in the community.
Community forest representatives presented a dividend cheque for $1,213,457 to the City of Powell River at the Thursday, June 5 council meeting. It was standing-room-only in the council chambers gallery, where a number of residents turned up to hear the announcement and participate in the cheque presentation.
“This is the largest dividend since the Powell River Community Forest was established in 2006,” said Greg Hemphill, Powell River Community Forest president. A total of 11 projects were recommended to receive grants from the Community Forest Reserve Fund, into which the city will deposit the dividend money.
Hemphill said the dollar figure of the cheque the community forest was presenting reflects an improved log market and some good strategic decisions made by community forest’s board of directors over the previous years.
“Powell River Community Forest supports a mix of projects of different themes and sizes from community groups and the city,” Hemphill said.
The recommendations for 2014 project grants from the fund include three to the city and eight to Powell River community groups and organizations.
The largest grant is to the city for a bike skills park and upgraded skateboard park, with approval of an expenditure up to $550,000. There are also recommendations for two $120,000 grants. The first is for new floats at the Powell Lake boat launch, and the second is for an elevator providing full accessibility within city hall.
In terms of community grants, for renovation of Powell River Search and Rescue Society’s base building, a project grant amounting to $47,000 was recommended.
A resurfacing of Powell River Christian School’s ball hockey court adjacent to Joyce Avenue has been earmarked for $53,449.
For the printing of an outdoor recreation user group trail map, $5,000 will be allocated to Tourism Powell River.
Powell River Brain Injury Society has a community garden project that has requested $15,515.
There were also three renovation projects for local sporting groups that have been recommended for funding. Powell River Villa Soccer Centre’s grant is $32,123.62 for renovation of the club building. Powell River Archery Club also requires renovation and insulation of their building, with $20,000 having been identified for the project. Powell River Curling Club requires energy efficient windows and lighting in the rink building, amounting to $22,000.
Finally, the Powell River Academy of Music’s second phase renovation for the academy building is earmarked for $134,000.
Hemphill said project proposals can be submitted to Powell River Community Forest and the City of Powell River at any time.
“The rolling project list is reviewed on an ongoing collaborative basis with city staff,” he said. “This year, we expect to announce a second round of grant recommendations early in the fall.”
Mayor David Formosa said Powell River Community Forest is a success story that goes back a few city councils before the current one.
“It’s manna from heaven,” he said. “I go to the meetings whenever I can. They have a very dedicated board of directors. They are absolute professionals in the industry.”
Formosa said the directors' efforts are charitable because they do not get paid for what they do. They put a great deal of thought into who receives the money, he added.
While the community forest is owned by the city, as was evidenced by the distribution of this dividend, money is also put back into community organizations.
At the conclusion of Hemphill’s presentation, council unanimously passed a recommendation to concur with Powell River Community Forest board and that the projects that were outlined are approved and funded by the Community Forest Reserve Fund.
More information on Powell River Community Forest’s process and evaluation criteria can be found online.
