BY LORNE ECKERSLEY
Advance staff
Creston Town Council has approved two grant applications under the Union of BC Municipalities Strategic Priorities Fund, which could pay the entire costs of one or both projects.
A “solids dewatering facility” for the wastewater treatment plan would qualify under the fund’s wastewater category, manager of engineering Colin Farynowski told council at the May 23 regular meeting. Cost estimate is under $2 million.
The Farmers’ Market Park Project carries a $3.6 million cost and it meets the critera for the fund’s “brownfield redevelopment, recreational infrastructure and culture infrastructure” categories, he said.
The market park project has been identified as a main economic development project for the town. It would redevelop the current Farmer’s Market location, extending eastward to the former Sunset Seed property on Cook Street, creating a distinctive tourist attraction that would be visible from the realigned Highway 3.
“Successful application under this grant program offsets funding that has been identified in the Five Year Financial Plan,” Farynowski said.
In other Town Council news:
• Participating in other Kootenay communities’ parades continues to be a challenge, with scheduling conflicts being the major issue. Council received invitations to participate in Sparwood’s Coal Miner Days parade on June 10th and Elkford’s Wildcat Days parade on July 1st.
Council declined the July 1st invitation because it conflicts with Canada Day celebrations. At the request of Couns. Jim Elford, the Sparwood invitation will be shared with Area B and Area C directors as part of the Service 108 economic development committee.
“I believe our participation is important when possible,” he said. “This is an economic development issue because it promotes the Creston Valley.”
• Couns. Karen Unruh will represent Creston at a meeting to discuss the WildSafeBC program, which has replaced Bear Aware.
• Council received a plea from the Royal Canadian Cadet Corps to help create awareness about the need for adult leaders to become involved in both the 904 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and the 1746 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.
• A funding request from the BC Senior Games – Zone 7 East Kootenay was received for information. Previous requests for more information about local participants have been ignored.
• Council passed the Five Year Financial Plan (2017-2021) Amendment Bylaw, a statutory report package required by the provincial government each year.