An electric car charging station is a go for the proposed community hall.
A provincial grant from the Fraser Basin Council would cover up to $8,000 for the charging station, accessible for both electric and hybrid vehicles. To fulfill the grant, the equipment must be purchased by March 31, 2013.
The catch is construction hasn’t even started on the community hall. Council asked for an extension and got until Sept. 1, 2013 to have the charging station up and running. The community hall’s completion date is earmarked for the end of August.
“We will purchase the unit ahead of time,” said district planner Laura Beckett.
Highlands will purchase the charging stations and equipment, costing just less than $8,000. The equipment will then be stored by the district until the community hall is built.
Once the hall is standing, the district plans to cover the costs of installation, about $3,000. The community hall is funded mostly through another provincial grant for up to $400,000.
The deadline for that grant is also March 31, 2013. The district requested a meeting with the minister of community, sport and cultural development, but has not yet received a response.
“If the community hall doesn’t proceed, there will be no cost to staff,” Beckett said.
If the community hall project doesn’t solidify the district would look for other locations for the charging station before it considered selling the equipment.
“I am sure we could sell some equipment,” said Coun. Allen Dobb.
