Expanding the vitality of Enderby is generating a lot of energy.
About 60 to 80 people attended consultations held by the Enderby Vitalization Initiative steering committee last Friday and Saturday.
“I was impressed with the amount of people who came out,” said Coun. Brad Case.
Residents and businesses were asked a number of questions including opportunities for economic growth, what can be done to make the community more inviting, what draws visitors to the area and what amenities would they like to see in the community.
“We heard about cleanup, flowers and trees,” said Case of some of the suggestions provided.
“There were a couple ideas about closing main street for pedestrian use only.”
Darren Robinson, Enderby Chamber of Commerce executive director, was impressed with the concepts put forward.
“Some common themes did occur and many issues were put in the spotlight, including, the highway upgrades, signage, area beautification, public washrooms, business improvement incentives, traffic patterns, public art, events and festivals, cultural tourism development, trail development and needed amenities to encourage more local shopping,” he said.
Mayor Howie Cyr believes there is considerable interest in revitalizing downtown and the entire community.
“We had some enthusiastic people with great ideas,” he said.
Committee members, including those from the city and the Enderby Chamber of Commerce, sat down Tuesday to discuss the consultation sessions.
“We can find some things to do right away and then develop a strategy for others over five or 10 years,” said Case.
Other partners in the process are the Splatsin First Nation and the Regional District of North Okanagan.
Cyr says the work of sub-committees will be crucial to the success of the overall initiative.
“We want to get to work with it,” he said.
Residents still wanting to provide input can go to www.facebook.com/EnderbyDistrictVitalization
