Clearwater town councillors usually defer making a decision about a funding request until the following meeting but they made an exception during their Aug. 18 meeting.
Council approved a $250 grant-in-aid request for the second annual Take Back The Night community barbeque, which is scheduled to be held Sept. 16. The municipality also will provide a large tent plus a barbeque.
The request came from the group Changes That Heal, represented by Wendy Vogels and three other women.
Changes That Heal describes itself as a small volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness against violence against women.
Town council also approved a $250 grant-in-aid for the Clearwater Children’s Art Festival, which was held Aug. 5.
The municipality provided tables, chairs and a large tent for the festival as well.
The festival is a free outdoor event that engages families to explore visual and performing arts.
Children’s Splashpark planning meeting
Council directed staff to set up a planning meeting with Success by 6 to work out the details of the capital purchases and site plan for a children’s splashpark proposed for Weyerhaeuser Pioneer Park.
In a report to council, chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx noted that Success by 6 had recently been successful in receiving a $137,000 grant from the Canada 150 Community Fund.
The organization also has money in the bank as well as in-kind donations ready to move as soon as the project begins.
Total capital cost of the splashpark is put at $300,000.
Staff is working on a report that will provide the costs associated with initial installation, ongoing maintenance, hours of operation and health requirements.
Unknowns include who will own the facility once it is built, and who will have responsibility for long term maintenance.
Other items to consider include neighborhood concerns, usage of potable water, effect on the sewer system, health requirements, and maintenance.
Site planning would need to consider infrastructure such as water and sewer, position of sun and shade, and locations for washrooms, parking and the splashpark itself.
Ambulance paramedics working in hospitals
A community paramedicine program launched recently in Creston and Princeton created interest among council members.
“I’d love to be third on that list,” said councillor Barry Banford, noting that 80 new positions in paramedicine are being created.
According to a media release, paramedics will provide primary care services within their scope of practice to increase access to basic health-care services in non-urgent settings, in partnership with local health-care providers.
The enhanced role is not intended to replace care provided by health professionals such as nurses, but rather to complement and support the work these professionals do.
