The Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society board met in Vanderhoof March 18 and approved funding for six new projects in Burns Lake and Vanderhoof.
The Nechako Valley Sporting Association was awarded $35,000 to go toward the purchase of LED lights and wiring materials to upgrade the ski trail lighting.
Nechako Valley Search and Rescue will take away $61,678 toward renovations of their new Search and Rescue training facility that are expected to start in the next couple weeks.
“The generous funding from NKDF will allow NVSAR to renovate the existing building, improve it’s energy use and create a training space, office and equipment storage all in one place. This will significantly improve our response times and training opportunities and allow us to continue to bring in new members. This is very exciting for our team and we sincerely thank NKDF for their generous contribution,” Chris Mushumanski, president of NVSAR said.
Sai’kuz First Nation will get $40,000 to go toward building a park that will commemorate survivors and their families of those who attend Indian Residential Schools. The project has been in the works for a few years but the First Nation still needs more funding from other sources, Sai’kuz Chief Stanley Thomas said. “Theres big development happening in the territory in regards to pipelines so were waiting on other funders. It’s important companies come forward to help with the cost and were trying to make the park to commemorate the memories and for our children to have a safe place to play,” Thomas said.
Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association was granted $125,000 toward construction of 10 kilometres of new machine-built trail, including a wall ride, Lakes District Fall Fair was given $26,222 toward the Parking and Washroom Upgrade project and St. Luke’s Church on the Lake was approved for $15,000 to renovate the church.
The total year-to-date amount approved across the NKDF investment area is now $531,005. For more information visit www.nkdf.org.