The Regional District board endorsed a resolution from the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee requesting an application for the North Cariboo Multi Centre to be submitted to the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
The application is for a grant of $2 million with an additional $2 million, interest-free loan from the North Cariboo Regional Development Account under the Trust’s Economic Diversification program.
The North Cariboo account currently has a balance of approximately $4.2 million, with $2.2 million available as grants and $2 million available as loans.
Interior Health
Allison Ruault, Health Service Administrator, Catherine Whitman and Deb Smith of Interior Health provided the board with a brief update on issues relating to Interior Health in the Central Cariboo. An overview of the IH organizational structure, staffing levels and the recruitment of health care professionals, along with residential care services were topics of discussion. Further information about Interior Health is available online at www.interiorhealth.ca
108 Mile Ranch
The Cariboo Regional District will be supporting an application from the 108 Mile Ranch Community Association for up to $22,000 of Community Works Funding. The funds will be used to replace four old inefficient furnaces with new energy-efficient furnaces at the 108 Mile Ranch Community Hall. The replacements will improve the energy efficiency of the building, reduce green house gas emissions, and save money on heating costs.
NCLGA
The Cariboo Regional District will be submitting resolutions to the annual North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) annual general meeting and conference, May 11 – 13, 2011. Some of the issues being considered include the implementation of an environmental fee in BC, rescinding the provincial ban of incandescent light bulbs, high speed and cell phone coverage for rural communities, invasive plants and the sale of nuisance alien species through horticultural centres are being considered.
Heritage Week
February 21-27, is Heritage BC’s Heritage Week. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of B.C. Parks and Parks Canada, the theme for Heritage Week 2011 is “One Hundred Years of Conservation: Parks & Cultural Landscapes”.
Forest Capital
Feb. 2, Members of Parliament, Dick Harris and Cathy McLeod, presented a gift basket of items donated by CRD Directors to Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. All of the items were value-added forest products from the Cariboo.
The basket showcases the diversity of our forest land-base, the unique use of pine beetle-kill wood, and creates awareness for our Forest Capital program. A fundraiser was held on February 3 in Williams Lake to auction off the chainsaw carving from the CRD’s National Forest Week celebrations.
The carving raised $500 for the Cariboo Growers Food Co-op. The Forest Capital Committee is currently working to bring two renowned speakers to the region: Rob Kozak, Director of Forests and Communities in Transition and Department Head for Wood Science at the University of British Columbia, and Dave Leman of Resources North. Planning for a spring and fall lecture series is underway.
Survey
Residents residing within the Central Cariboo Recreation Service Boundary are encouraged to fill out the Central Cariboo Community Recreation Survey. The survey is online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTYB8RH, with electronic links from the Recreation Services, City of Williams Lake, and Cariboo Regional District websites. Hard copies are also available at City Hall, Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, and the Cariboo Regional District Williams Lake office.
Residents can also email recreationsurvey@williamslake.ca to receive an electronic copy. Survey results will be used to gather community feedback in order to properly plan future recreation opportunities within the Central Cariboo Recreation boundary. Information gathered through this survey will be utilized by elected officials to determine where resources should be allocated for the provision of recreation in our area.
CCBAC
Hugh Flinton, Director of Community Economic Development, Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic Response Division, Ministry of Regional Economic and Skills Development, appeared before the Board to provide an update on projects for the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. Further information on CCBAC and the current initiatives is available online at www.c-cbac.com.
