Internet connectivity
qathet Regional District’s committee of the whole is recommending the regional board carry on with efforts to connect homes to higher speed internet.
At the October 14 committee of the whole meeting, in response to a motion to receive correspondence from the provincial ministry of citizens’ services, Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick brought forward an amendment motion that the committee recommend the board direct staff to continue dialogue with the ministry of citizens’ services to seek opportunities to connect homes that may not be captured in approved project applications.
The ministry correspondence outlined a connectivity project in Gillies Bay on Texada Island to upgrade existing infrastructure and improve internet speed.
McCormick said the motion amendment opened the opportunity for staff to have further dialogue to make sure everything envisioned in the regional district’s last mile productivity plan has the opportunity to succeed.
The committee voted to receive the correspondence and have staff continue dialogue regarding internet connectivity.
Bridge acknowledged
The committee received correspondence from Powell River Cycling Association vice president Chris Morwood thanking the regional district for completion of the bridge and path over Myrtle Creek. Morwood stated this was the last phase of a plan to improve road shoulders for cycling and walking in Paradise Valley that began more than eight years ago.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he agreed with Morwood’s correspondence, particularly a paragraph that stated no infrastructure is perfect, but hopefully, these early improvements can be built upon to create roads and trails that can be utilized by users both active and motorized.
Gisborne said his question for the staff and assembly was: does the regional district try to improve the infrastructure that exists to make it accessible for all, or, what is the next step in the staff workload?
Chief administrative officer Al Radke said the question would best be served for budget deliberations or put in a notice of motion on the specifics of what is to be discussed.
Wants improvement
Electoral Area C director Clay Brander has put forward a notice of motion for improving the boat launch at Saltery Bay Provincial Park.
