The North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee were down two members for their April 13 meeting, but that didn’t stop them from approving a couple projects
Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson and Area C Director John Massier were not in virtual attendance as the rest of the committee met through Zoom.
DEFIBRILLATORS
Four recreation centres in the area will be receiving a new automated external defibrillator (AED). The Bouchie Lake, Barlow Creek and Parkland community halls and Alex Fraser Park will be a little bit safer after the committee approved spending $8,800 to get theAEDs.
Manager Darron Campbell told the committee after staff received a request to purchase a defibrillator for the Bouchie Lake hall, they investigated other places in the North Cariboo which could use one.
The money to purchase the AEDs will be made possible through updated the capital plan.
“This is a multi-million dollar budget, and if there was a material impact to it, we’d be more specific in identifying (the funding source,” Campbell said. “In this case, just noting the budget be amended to accommodate this is sufficient.”
CYCLING TRAIL MAINTENANCE
The committee also approved giving the Gold Rush Trail Cycling Club (GRTCC) $15,000 per year for trail maintenance.
In a letter requesting the funds, GRTCC treasurer Michelle Klapatiuk noted the club has grown from 75 members to over 200 in the last three years.
“Currently, GRCC spends over 1,000 hours per year maintaining the sanctioned trail networks in our area,” their request letter reads. “Other cycling clubs in the province work with their local municipalities and regional districts to secure a pool of funds that is allocated strictly for trail maintenance.”
The funds would be used to hire a seasonal contractor to ease the load on volunteers.
“If we want to have a sustainable trail network, and be competitive with other jurisdictions that have trails, we absolutely owe it to this endeavor to support it long term,” Quesnel city councillor Mitch Vik said.
REFERENDUM
The committee is planning their steps in anticipation of a referendum to renovate the pool at the Quesnel Rec Centre being approved at the Cariboo Regional District meeting on April 16.
The committee is planning an immediate media release, and producing six short videos explaining the project and voting process.
There will also be digital town halls on Facebook Live, with the first planned for May 5.
If approved, the referendum would take place Saturday, June 19.
READ MORE: Public will be asked to approve $20 million pool upgrade
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