The Nechako Valley Fall Fair grounds has received a new addition to its facilities.
President of the 4-H council, Alex Kulchar, spoke at the last regular council meeting on August 17 to request that the building permit fees be waived for the construction of a new pole barn at the grounds.
The structure will be used for the annual 4-H auction at the Nechako Valley Fall Fair among other things.
Kulchar says the old barn is not really feasible.
“Traditionally we have the auction outside, but last year we had a bit of a monsoon during the auction and as 4-H council we said we wouldn’t do that to our buyers again,” said Kulchar.
The 4-H council decided to approach the Integris Community Foundation to request a grant to go ahead and build the structure.
The application was approved with a $20,000 grant towards the structure.
“We were really pleased to be part of the culture of agriculture in Vanderhoof,” said Daniel Wingham, Corporate Communications Officer with Integris Credit Union.
The Vanderhoof District Council created a motion to allow the $450 of building permit fees to be waived. The motion was unanimously passed.
“Council often does this for non-profits,” said District Administrator Tom Clement.
“We did the same thing for the seniors facility in town – it’s not a huge thing for us, and it makes a difference to them – that’s 400 bucks less for them to have to raise,” he said.
The new pole barn is still under construction at the Fall Fair grounds and should be completed within the next few weeks.
“It’s not quite finished – the roof’s on but we still have a few finishing touches to do,” said Kulchar.
“What’s left to do is the end of the rafters and just to tidy it up and put some sheeting on it,” he said.
Construction on the barn started on August 6, and by August 17 the roof was completed.
As well as a $20,000 grant from the Integris Community Foundation, a number of businesses and groups in town helped with getting the structure up before this years Fall Fair.
“So Integris was our main sponsor but then we had lots of support from different groups in town – Carsten Christensen Construction – they volunteered some time, Pete Knowles helped out with the wiring, YRB helped out with the high up work, Prairiedale Excavating helped and then a whole bunch of 4-H volunteers put in over 100 hours to help build it,” said Kulchar.
“The Vanderhoof Co-op is also helping us out with materials,” he added.
“The new barn is going to be an asset to that whole complex up there,” said Kulchar.
The Integris Community Foundation is best described as a growing capital fund which serves the community. Currently, the Foundation’s endowment is $1.5 Million; the annual earnings are used to meet a range of local charitable needs and interests.
