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

Wildfire Smoke

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District reviewed a news release regarding the increase in wildfire smoke in communities throughout the province as a result of the current fire situations. Interior Health provided some tips to help people deal with the effects of wildfire smoke.

• If your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce your activity.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• People with smoke related symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.

Further information is available at http://www.interiorhealth.ca/

Feasibility Study for Lexington Water System

The Cariboo Regional District will allocate $3,500 in feasibility reserve funds for an initial assessment of the privately owned water system for the Lexington subdivision of the Williams Lake fringe area in order to determine the feasibility of the CRD taking over the system. The study for this proposed service came to the CRD in a formal request from the Lexington Improvement District.

Support for BC Recreation and Parks Association

The Regional District will be sending a letter of support to the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). The CRD will also be recommending that not only recreational buildings are addressed, but that outdoor recreation sites and facilities be included in their efforts. The BCRPA is moving forward in its effort to make recreation infrastructure renewal a public policy priority in British Columbia. The BCRPA engaged in five years of comprehensive research, study and analysis to assess the condition of recreation facilities in British Columbia and compiled the results in a report titled A Time For Renewal: Assessing the State of Recreation Facilities in British Columbia.

Further information on the BCRPA initiatives is available online at http://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/

Area D Opportunity Funds

Electoral Area D Director, Deb Bischoff was given approval by the Board to use opportunity funds to support three local initiatives taking place in Wildwood and McLeese Lake. In Wildwood, $150.00 will support a community clean up event on September 13, 2009. On August 29 and 30, 2009, the Wildwood Elementary PAC and community volunteers will be installing playground equipment on the grounds of the Wildwood Elementary School. A total of $50 will be used from the Electoral Area D opportunity funds to support a potluck dinner for the volunteers. In McLeese Lake, $100 will be used to assist the McLeese Lake Recreation Commission to host a community BBQ on August 29, 2009.

Deserter Creek Upgrades

Area I Director, Jim Glassford and the Cariboo Regional District Board members authorized the use $500 from the Area “I” Opportunity fund to cover the cost of repairs to the washroom facility located at Deserter Creek. The repairs  were required as a result of vandalism that recently occurred.

Provincial Cuts to Library Funding

The Province has recently confirmed that 2009 provincial support for public libraries would be decreased to approximately $13,700,000 which amounts to about 78 percent of previous years. However, in their deliberations, the Province recognized that regional libraries have additional costs in providing the infrastructure necessary to the delivery of region-wide library services. This information will need to be factored into the upcoming budgeting process for the CRD’s 2010 Financial Plan.

Moving History

The Cariboo Regional District will be negotiating an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation in order that the 150 Mile community members and the CRD Heritage committee are provided with an opportunity to restore the “150 Mile Lockup” over the next two years. On
Wednesday, August 26, 2009, local community members undertook the task of moving the building that was threatened by the four-laning of Highway 97. Built as the policeman’s residence, it had a jail cell in its basement where criminals were held until the judge arrived. The building dates back to at least 1913, and preliminary indications are that it was built by Fred Rose, who was the first Provincial Police Constable appointed to 150 Mile House in 1891.

Lights On

The Cariboo Regional District passed two bylaws to bring street lighting to two different neighbourhoods. A street lighting service will now be established for the Westcoast/Wildwood area of Electoral Area D. A similar service will be developed for the Copper Ridge Road area of Electoral Area A.

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