On June 13, 2011, the directors of the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition (SIBAC) voted in favour of supporting the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association – North Thompson Agriplex Committee’s application for $50,000 to assist in the construction of the 30,000 square foot North Thompson Agriplex.
SIBAC Director Marlon Dosch (Thompson Nicola Regional District) said “The SIBAC Board viewed this application for funding support as an opportunity to help boost the local economy of a rural community that has been severely impacted from the Mountain Pine Beetle.”
Donna Kibble, president of the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association added, “The Association is excited to be building our new North Thompson Agriplex on our fairgrounds in Barriere. It will provide a much needed multi-purpose facility that will not only serve as a showcase for agricultural related events, but will also help to stimulate the economy both locally and throughout the North Thompson Valley. This building will give the entire area an economic boost, as many functions such as trade shows and livestock events will be hosted in this new facility.”
Kibble notes that so far the construction of the building is on track, and if it stays that way visitors to this year’s Labour Day weekend Fall Fair and Rodeo will be able to peruse and enjoy this exciting new building.
The 73rd Annual Provincial Winter Fair, to be held in Barriere for the first time this year, will also be held in the North Thompson Agriplex on Sept. 23 - 26.
Members of the Agriplex Committee voiced their appreciation, and gave a hearty round of applause, when they received the news from SIBAC that their grant application had been approved.
“We have had so much support from the community, and from numerous contractors and businesses,” said Committee co-chair Jill Hayward, “Having SIBAC show their confidence and join us on this project is especially exciting.”
SIBAC is one of three Beetle Action Coalitions in BC’s Interior created in 2005-2006 to develop and implement mitigation plans in order to help affected communities endure the impacts of the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The funding is intended to support projects approved by the Beetle Action Coalitions that will create business partnerships, diversify local and regional economies, find innovative and value-added uses for forest resources and explore new industries to assist rural interior communities through this transition. Go to www.sibacs.com for more information.
If you would like to contribute to the construction of the North Thompson Agriplex drop in to the Fall Fair office in downtown Barriere, or call Ian or Anja Mitchell at 250-672-9309, or Jill Hayward at 250-319-8023.