The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) board elected Director Bob Simpson as the vice-chair for 2017. Director Margo Wagner was elected chair at the board’s Jan. 13 meeting.
Elevator funding allocated for 2020
The CRD board endorsed a recommendation from the Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting to include $425,000 for the installation of an elevator at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex in Williams Lake in the 2020 budget.
This elevator would provide better accessibility to the upper floor of Rink #1.
Northern Health updates CCRHD board
On behalf of Northern Health, Debbie Strang, health service administrator, Penny Anguish, chief operating officer, and Albert Sommerfeld, director of capital development and projects, provided an update to the CCRHD directors. They outlined Northern Health’s service priorities; medical staffing levels; and their completed and proposed capital projects in the North Cariboo. They also highlighted the minor capital purchases made thanks to funding received from the CCRHD.
Priority urged for region’s hospital projects
The CCRHD board of directors will be sending a letter to the Ministry of Health to urge them to maintain the priority of hospital projects at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake and GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel. This letter will also be forwarded to MLAs Donna Barnett and Coralee Oakes and local First Nation Chief and Councils to request their support on this issue.
Agriculture working group seeks CRD support
Nicole Pressey, regional agrologist from the Ministry of Agriculture, and members of the North Cariboo Agriculture Working Group delivered a presentation to discuss the formation of an agricultural advisory committee. Their group is taking action following the North Cariboo Community Opportunities session hosted by MLA Oakes in September 2016. The board discussed how the group can become involved in Cariboo Strong, an economic development initiative being undertaken by the CRD and the Community Development Institute of the University of Northern British Columbia.
Support given to federal heritage tax credit
The CRD will be writing a letter to local Members of Parliament and the federal Minister of Environment urging them to support Bill C-323, a federal Heritage Tax Credit Bill. The Bill would create a 20 per cent tax credit for rehabilitation of recognized historic places. The board agrees this effort would be significant to encourage the preservation of culturally significant buildings in Canada.
Concern raised with road deactivations
The CRD directors will be sending a letter to local MLAs requesting a meeting to discuss forest service road deactivations in the Cariboo.
SCRC expansion working group formed
At its Jan. 9 meeting, the South Cariboo Joint Committee formalized a working group for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre (SCRC) Expansion Project. The working group includes representatives from the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, the Age-friendly Society, community recreation advocates, and an elected official from each of School District #27, the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House.
Continuing on their previous work and public awareness efforts, the project working group will guide the concept design and public consultation process. On Feb. 1, the CRD issued a Request for Proposals for the development of concept designs and cost estimates and a preferred architectural firm will be selected in March.
Upcoming meeting to explore Area F noise bylaw
The board approved up to $500 from Electoral Area F Director Initiative Funds to hold a meeting in 150 Mile House in the near future to discuss the feasibility of a noise bylaw in Area F.
Board nominates new stop of interest signs
Based on recommendations from the CRD Heritage Committee, the board submitted nine recommendations to Heritage BC for Stop of Interest Signs.
The board believes these locations and the individual should be commemorated as they are significant to the Cariboo and to the broader history of B.C.
The following nominations for new Stop of Interest signs were submitted:
• Stswecem’c Xgat’tem Petroglyph Rock at Churn Creek
• Japanese Internment Camp at Taylor Lake
• Xat’sull Heritage Village
• 108 Heritage Site
• Alkali Lake Ranch
• 150 Mile House
• Robert Graham (Tatla Lake)
• Church at Sugar Cane Reserve
• Williams Lake
