News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

CCRHD Review Master Plan Funding Request

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) will be funding a $200,000 Master Plan project at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. It is anticipated that completion of the Master Plan will be an important step towards maximizing the full potential of the site and to securing Provincial funding to begin the necessary capital improvements.  

Update from Ministry of Forests and Range

Harold Stolar, Acting District Manager, Central Cariboo Forest District, provided information to the Board as a follow-up to the CRD’s 2009 Union of BC Municipalities meeting held with Minister Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range. The focus of his presentation centred on the province’s Wood First initiative. Further information on this program is available online at www.for.gov.bc.ca           

Friendly Community Planning and Project Grants Program

The Cariboo Regional District will be submitting an application for $15,600 to the Age-Friendly Community Planning and Project Grants Program for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre. The grant will cover costs for instruction, transportation, facility use, advertising, refreshments and supplies. Eligible activities are new community planning activities and/or community projects that support and enable older people to live in a secure environment, enjoy good health, and continue to participate fully in society.  Community activity programs, as suggested by the age friendly grant, are part of the responsibilities of the contract operator of the South Cariboo Recreation Centre in 100 Mile House and there is a 2010 Business Plan goal to create programming specifically targeted for seniors at the facility. 

Social Services Awareness Month

The Cariboo Regional District is in receipt of documentation regarding British Columbia’s Community Social Services Awareness Month taking place March, 2010. The committee, comprised of BC Community social service workers, is urging local BC governments to make an official declaration in their respective communities. In 2009, more than 25 governments across BC supported this campaign to raise awareness for important community based social services such as child care and infant development programs, employment and housing support for people with developmental disabilities, specialized services for immigrant and First Nations families, and youth at risk programs. 

Solid Waste Management Review

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors endorsed the Terms of Reference for the 2010 Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee. The next step in this process will be recruiting volunteers to sit on the committee. If you are interested in participating in this process, please contact the CRD’s Solid Waste Management Department at 250-392-3351 or toll free 1-800-665-1636. To download an application form, visit us online at www.cariboord.bc.ca        

2010 Town Hall Meetings

The CRD Board of Directors received the minutes and survey results from the CRD 2010 Town Hall Meetings. The Board will now take these comments and suggestions into consideration prior to adopting the final 2010 Budget and Five Year Financial Plan at the next Board meeting on March 26, 2010. Minutes and survey results are available online at www.cariboord.bc.ca 

Building Governance Capacity

The Regional District Board of Directors and the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations will submit a joint funding application to the Union of BC Municipalities Building Governance Capacity grant program. The Cariboo Regional District has participated with Xeni Gwet’in in the UBCM Community to Community program, and Xeni Gwet’in is hoping to build on those efforts. One proposed outcome of this latest initiative would be the development and acceptance of a communications protocol. 

NCLGA Resolutions

The Cariboo Regional District will be submitting three resolutions to the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) Annual Conference and AGM to be held in Smithers, BC, May 5-7, 2010. The resolutions include: palliative care fees; establishment of a provincial accessibility designation; and interim tax relief for resort owners. 

Central Cariboo Transit

The CRD will be holding a series of public meetings before May 31, 2010 at 150 Mile House, Mountview School, Wildwood and Williams Lake to present the planned taxation boundary, financial information and transit service levels for the proposed central Cariboo Transit expansion. These meetings will be the next step in seeking the level of interest in establishing a Central Cariboo Transit Service.

| More...