Supports project
qathet Regional District directors, at the October 29 board meeting, approved a letter of support for City of Powell River’s application to the province for funding for upgrades to Powell River Recreation Complex. Grant funding of $6,624,000 is being applied for to upgrade exterior walls and reclad walls with metal panels, to replace the pool and rink roof and for seismic upgrades, plus engineering and contingency money.
Trail upgrades
In response to Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society’s (PRPAWS) request for a letter of support for improvements to the Sunshine Coast Trail, regional directors have voted to send the letter. PRPAWS is applying to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program to construct seven new outhouses along the trail, most of which will be located between sections of the trail that already have outhouses, shortening the distance between each. The funding will also be used toward kiosks at Sarah Point and Tla’amin Nation, plus access signage along the highway.
Disc golf
A business case for a disc golf course at Shelter Point Regional Park during the coming capital project budget deliberations will be considered by the regional board. According to a proposal from the Texada Island disc golf club, it is proposing the installation of a nine- or 18-hole golf course in qathet Regional District land adjacent to the Shelter Point campground. Total cost of the project is estimated at $10,000. The proposal is to place a disc golf course along the Big Loop Trail, a two-kilometre trail south of the Bella Maria section of the park.
Allocating funds
The regional board voted to allocate an additional $15,000 of community works funds toward the Myrtle Pond water system capacity assessment, and that the board approve a budget amendment to increase the budget for the water system capacity assessment from $30,000 to $35,000, and to move the budget for the project forward to the 2021 budget year. According to a report to the board, staff is eager to have the assessment completed as it will be used to determine whether the distribution system can support any future expansion of the water system.
Purchasing container
A budget amendment has been approved to reallocate $6,000 from underspending in the regional emergency preparedness service operating budget toward the cost of completing an evacuation supplies container to be installed at Northside Community Recreation Centre.
Septic system
The regional board will direct staff to apply to Powell River Community Forest in 2020 for grant funding for construction of the Haywire Bay Regional Park septic system and sani-dump, and installation of flush toilets. The board also approved a budget amendment to move the project forward to 2021 and to recognize the addition of the potential grant revenue of $35,000 and the associated $35,000 increase to the project budget.
Route improvements
A letter of support will be provided for Powell River Educational Services Society’s (PRESS) application to the province for funding for the Powell Forest Canoe Route project. According to correspondence from PRESS, the canoe route is aging, and due to its expansiveness, needs upgrades in order to continue being one of the drivers of tourism in the region. The canoe route consists of nine lakes, 17 campsites and nine trails of more than 10.5 kilometres.
Authorizes letter
qathet Regional District board will provide a letter of support for City of Powell River’s application to the province for funding for phase one of its airport runway extension project. According to correspondence from the city, currently, the runway is 3,621 in length and needs to be extended to 4,000 feet if it is to be viable in the long term.
