The Armstrong Heritage Society’s goal to hire a summer student won’t cost the city any new money.
The society is applying for federal government funding for a student to be hired for the period of May to August to work on a number of initiatives.
“The project would only proceed if the federal summer student application is successful,” said city chief financial officer Terry Martens.
The total cost of the project would be about $6,800 with federal funding capped at $2,800, and the society looking to the city for the remainder of the funding.
Because the society was not successful in 2014 in receiving federal government funds, $4,000 the city had budgeted for the student was not used, and the city has agreed to carry that over to the 2015 budget.
“The heritage society will formally request a grant from the city for the amount, and that request will be included with all other grant-in-aid applications and presented to council during the 2015 budget deliberations in April,” said Martens.
If successful, the student will help prepare a comprehensive heritage plan for the city, make revisions to the heritage designation pamphlet and update the palette of exterior paint colours for heritage homes.
They would also write content for new plaques for identified heritage sites and will help in the acknowledgement of Chinese contributions to Armstrong, such as working together with the designer of a cairn to be installed in the new Huculak Park.
The Armstrong Heritage Society was formed in 2003 by the city to facilitate the awarding of heritage restoration grants to owners of designated heritage homes in Armstrong.
Members of the society also work to raise awareness of the preservation of heritage in the community.
The city announced that Coun. Lance McGregor will be the new liaison for council with the society.
McGregor takes over the role from former councillor Ryan Nitchie.
