By Laura Keil

This year 18 organizations in Valemount applied for $421,246 out of a total of at least $271,478 available from the Columbia Basin Trust’s Community Initiatives and Affected Areas program. The final amount available is contingent on the completion of projects from 2013, which may or may not be given extensions.

The program allows members of the public to “vote” on projects before an adjudication committee makes the final recommendation to council.

The public input meeting was March 13th – that’s when the community gets to see the projects planned, and has the opportunity to ask the organizations questions. After the presentations, residents rated proposals; the ratings play an important role for the committee that helps decide who gets the funding.

On this year’s adjudication committee is Bill Kruisselbrink, Rita Rewerts, Ray Mikolash, Owen Torgerson, Dorthe Flauer, Arnold Wied, and Sandy Salt, representing Council. Braden Hutchins is staff liaison, but does not get a vote on the committee.

The committee is expected to make their recommendations to Council in late March, and Council will review the recommendations and make approvals likely at either the March 25 or April 8 council meeting.

List of Applicants:

Robson Valley Spay and Neuter Society
Valemount Spay and Neuter Program
$10,000.00

Robson Valley Support Society
The Community Heart Project
$12,548.00

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 266
Legion Upgrade
$34,687.89

Swift Creek Watershed Society
Swift Creek Enhancement Project – Viewing Platform and Fencing
$20,404.00

Valemount & Area Recreation Development Association
Winter Grooming of Five Mile and Other Recreation Areas
$10,602.65

Valemount & Area Recreation Development Association
Crystal Ridge Access Rehab Part 2
$16,000.00

Valemount Children’s Activity Society
Multi-Age Daycare Group Room
$15,200.00

Valemount Community Bus Society
Community Bus Safety Upgrades
$4,300.00

Valemount Community Sports Day Association
Purchase of Marquee Tent and a Public Address System for Valemountain Days
$5,503.40

Valemount Curling Club
Replace/Upgrade Lighting on Rink Surface with LED Lights
$41,769.00

Valemount Entertainment Society
VCTV Council Chambers, Studio & Field Production Equipment Purchases
$26,481.00

Valemount Gymnastics Club
Valemount Gymnastics Club Recreational Gymnastics
$8,955.52

Valemount Lions Club
Interior/Exterior Revitalization and Fire Code Upgrades
$5,207.16

Valemount Marina Association
Valemount Marina Boom-log Protection System
$9,200.00

Valemount Public Library Association
Library log Maintenance and Sign Replacement
$8,500.00

Valemount Senior Citizens Housing Society
Fire Safety Upgrades to Golden Years Lodge
$4,000.00

Valemount Tourism Committee
Phase 2 – Cranberry Marsh Trail / Boardwalk
$118,887.00

Valemount Volunteer Fire Department
Firework Display Certification and Annual Fireworks Display
$4,000.00

Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association
Five Mile Road Upgrades Phase 3
$65,000.00