Work to upgrade Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake should begin in 2020. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo

Work to upgrade Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake should begin in 2020. Monica Lamb-Yorski photo

Cariboo Regional District board highlights

All the highlights from the April 13 meeting

  • Apr. 17, 2018 12:00 a.m.

Hospital redevelopment funded

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board approved funding to support the business plan development for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake. The CCRHD will be contributing $480,000 out of its capital reserves towards this project, which is 40 per cent of the overall project cost of $1.2 million. In February, Interior Health received approval from the Ministry of Health to proceed to the business plan phase for the redevelopment of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital. The target date for submission is spring 2019.

Contribution to ultrasound machine in the Chilcotin

The CCRHD Board agreed to fund 40% of the total cost for a portable ultrasound machine for the West Chilcotin Health Centre in Tatla Lake. The CCRHD’s total contribution will be $8,110.40 from the Foundation Partnership Grants program.

Audited financial statements

Chartered Accountant JoAnn Francis, from PMT Chartered Accountants/ Business Advisors LLP, presented the CCRHD and CRD’s 2017 audited financial statements. According to Ms. Francis, the financial positions of both corporations remain strong. For inquiries, contact the CRD’s Chief Financial Officer at toll free at 1-800-665-1636. The 2018 financial plans and business plans are posted at cariboord.ca under Services > Finance.

Wildfire recovery report received

Stephanie Masun, the CRD’s recovery manager, gave a presentation to the Cariboo Regional District Board discussing the CRD’s recovery management activities. The report also identifies the early-identified recovery needs and general trends, an overview of recovery program solutions and resources, short-term recovery program gaps and long-term planning and lessons learned. Visit cariboord.ca and click the Wildfire Recovery button to read the report, along with CRD’s two other post-wildfire reports.

The report signifies the end of the contract for the CRD’s Recovery Manager. Ongoing recovery work is being carried out by various agencies throughout the Cariboo. Numerous recovery resources and programs can be referenced on the Wildfire Recovery page at cariboord.ca. Follow facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations for ongoing updates as well.

South Cariboo Rec Centre expansion

The proposed expansion for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre is moving to an assent vote (referendum) on June 9, 2018. The Regional District Board endorsed the recommendation of the South Cariboo Joint Committee and approved the necessary administrative details to conduct an assent vote. More details will be shared about the assent vote in the coming weeks and updates will be posted at cariboord.ca and facebook.com/SCRCexpansion.

North Cariboo Airport Service

The CRD will be holding an assent vote (referendum) this fall to establish a North Cariboo Airport Service where the CRD Electoral Areas will provide an annual contribution to the Quesnel Regional Airport. Electoral Areas A, B, C and I will be able to vote in the assent vote, which will happen at the same time as the local government elections in October 2018. Read an FAQ about the proposed service at cariboord.ca/services/airports.

NCLGA 2019 comes to Williams Lake

In May 2019, the Cariboo Regional District and City of Williams Lake will be co-hosting the North Central Local Government Association Conference. Read more at cariboord.ca.

Agricultural Advisory Committee established

The CRD Board passed a bylaw to establish an Agricultural Development Advisory Committee for Electoral Areas A, B, C and I in the North Cariboo. The committee will advise the Board on agriculture and horticulture matters referred to them along with land use, community planning and proposed bylaws, as requested.

The Board will appoint 5-7 members to the committee, with representative members for cattle ranching, forage, horticulture and vegetable producers, farmers markets, agriculture technology or research, and the agrologist profession. At least one North Cariboo CRD Director will sit on the committee as a non-voting member.

Upcoming meetings

North Cariboo Info Fair – Tuesday, Apr. 24, 2018

South Cariboo Info Fair – Thursday, Apr. 26, 2018

CCRHD & CRD Boards – WEDNESDAY, May 2, 2018

Quesnel Cariboo Observer