Support for seniors’ home accessibility
The District of Vanderhoof will contribute towards the entrance way renovations of the Nechako View Seniors Complex on Northside Road, through funds previously allocated to clean up the Kwik Safe building.
The Nechako View Senior Citizens’ Home Society, represented by Len Fox and two other representatives, requested $16,420 of support from the district council during regular meeting on July 11.
In order to expand and improve the accessibility of the driveway, the society looks to build an east-west retaining wall on the complex’s southern boundary, as well as stabilize the driveway’s banks and build a storm connection to avoid further erosion from recent rain.
The renovated driveway will allow the complex’s residents — most without a vehicle — to venture out on foot easier, Fox said.
Bednesti log cabin update
The district council will touch base with Saik’uz First Nation regarding the log cabin ownership and a support letter, before submitting an application to Northern Development Initiative Trust for a $250,000.
Saik’uz and the district is looking to add the Saik’uz-owned building to the Vanderhoof museum grounds as a First Nation cultural and arts space.
Vanderhoof YMCA year-end review
Kristin Emel from YMCA of Northern B.C. in Vanderhoof presented a review of their recreation programs over the past school year.
Though the organization is happy with participation numbers so far, there is always room for improvement, Emel said.
Number of participants for Pro-D day field trips increased afrom 110 in 2014/15 to 158 in 2015/16, 583 people took part in after-school programs, and summer camp last year hosted 236 kids. For those under the age of 5, Soccer Tots and and Little Golfers programs had nearly 90 kids in total, while participation of Parent & Tot drop-in over the year numbered over 1,000.
Other programs for children include holiday camps, childcare, and game booths at community events such as Farmers’ Market.
Fitness sessions for seniors, including repeats, during spring and fall had over 900 drop-in participants, and bootcamps for adults also took place in spring.
YMCA will return to the district council for more discussion on resources and space in the fall, when its new home at the Integris Recreation Centre is slated to be complete.
Meeting with RTA
The district council will meet with Rio Tinto Alcan on Aug. 9 to discuss a potential water use plan for the Nechako River.
A public meeting, hosted by the district council, will take place on Aug. 16 to gather input on community values regarding the issue.
Last fall, the District of Vanderhoof approached the provincial government and Rio Tinto Alcan, the reservoir’s operator, to establish a water use plan that would include input from the local community. The district council stated that Vanderhoof may avoid future flooding if the Nechako Reservoir gets a WUP, just like other reservoirs in B.C.
In a presentation to the district this spring, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations stated that WUPs are usually initiated by industry, and would facilitate a meeting between Vanderhoof and Rio Tinto Alcan regarding the concern.
According to the Ministry of Environment, B.C.‘s provincial government has been developing Water Use Plans for water control structures in the last decade to address a growing concern in fish resources and their relationship with flood protection and other water uses.
Garbage collection update
District staff will review garbage collection rates before the new truck arrives in late 2016.
Depending on bin size, residential rates for pickup currently ranges from $75 to $200.
Mayor Gerry Thiessen argued that rates should be comparable, as the operating cost for pickup is same, while Councillor Kevin Moutray proposed to remove the 95-gallon bin option.
Child Therapy Centre seeks new location
The Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre, a non-profit child therapy service provider, looks to lease the former home of the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce on Burrard Avenue.
Currently housed in Carrier Sekani Family Services’ location on Stewart Street, the BV CDC is contracted by the provincial government since February to deliver early intervention and school age therapy for Nechako Lakes communities.
The district council looks to learn more about the centre’s staffing and will defer the decision to a future meeting.
Sturgeon facility expansion update
The formal establishment of the Interpretive Centre Working Group, tasked with creating a business case and pursue funding to expand the education amenities of the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre, will be deferred until discussion with the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative, as a potential project for the existing group.
- with files from the District of Vanderhoof