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District of Barriere hosts Community Forum

Community To Community Forum was attended by 29 community representatives
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District of Clearwater Mayor John Harwood (l) and Thompson Regional District Area ‘P’ Director Mel Rothenburger watch a power point presntation on screen that District of Barriere CAO Colleen Hannigan was running for one of the Community To Community Forum presenters.

The Community To Community Forum hosted by the District of Barriere last Friday at the Barriere Ridge was attended by 29 community representatives from around the region.   Due to the nasty flu bug that has been going around, or prior commitments, Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality was not in attendance, and only Mayor Virginia Smith was attending on behalf of Barriere council.

The  full day of reporting on what each community was accomplishing or pursuing, and a full slate of interesting guest speakers kept all of the attendees engaged and networking.

District of Clearwater Mayor John Harwood gave an update on what has been happening in his community during the past year, and his thoughts on what the future holds.

“When I moved to the valley many years ago I came for a job. Now we don’t find people moving in for jobs because we don’t have jobs for families anymore,” said Harwood, “ The ‘livability index’ is what all of us are having to deal with in our communities.  It’s really important that this we develop a synergy kaleidoscope of how to make our communities attractive again.  What can we achieve for families to say “I want to live there”?

“We are strong on the pursuit of partnership; 80 per cent of what we do in Clearwater today is based on partnerships.”

As an example Hardwood spoke about the Dutch Lake Community Centre where there are currently 564 people participating in healthy living at the centre, and some 56 to 60 seniors participating in lunch get-togethers.

He also stated that the municipality partners on projects with the TNRD and Yellowhead Community Services to improve the lifestyle of the community.

He noted, “Last year we had a banner year in tourism, and in the off season we are looking at more bike trails.  The questions is how do we get more people to come to the valley and do all of what we have?”

“In 1967 I was elected to a board, and one of our projects was to get a doctor for Clearwater – and we are still doing that,” said Harwood. “Don’t think that what we do is going to end – it’s ongoing.”

He also noted that the Wells Gray Community Forest Corporation gave $100,000 towards a community biomass project, and there is also new senior’s housing being planned.

“It’s exciting to see the synergy building,” said Harwood, “I am excited to hear what other people have to say.”

Clearwater Councillor Barry Banford stated, “Before incorporation the community said what they wanted was trails connecting the community.  We now have some phenomenal trails, thanks to a really dedicated group of people who worked on this.”

Clearwater Councillor, Barry Banford, expressed a concern regarding the recent decision of the Ministry of Forests to re-allocate staff from Clearwater’s local Wildfire Service Station to Kamloops.

Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) Area “A” director Carole Schaffer reported she is currently trying to get upgrades to Birch Island and Dunn Lake roads, noting Birch Island has not seen an upgrade for 40 years.  Upgrades have taken place at the Vavenby Park, and Blackpool Park is being worked on.  Upgrades for  the Vavenby water system, and they are also looking at an extension to the Vavenby Firehall.

TNRD Area ‘B’ director Willow Mcdonald gave an update on the Blue River area noting a meeting with Kinder Morgan would be coming to the community on Feb. 8 to talk about employment opportunities.

She noted, “In 2016,  $30,000 was put into trail work in Blue River, with Simpcw First Nation overseeing this and we thank them for doing that.  We are planning to put another $30,000 into trails this year.”

Mcdonald also stated Blue River will soon have a Subway, and the community now has a new to them fire truck.

“This fire truck can assist with fires on the highway from accidents, something the fire department couldn’t do before,” said the director, “The Eleanor Lake kid’s park is almost done, and things are moving along nicely and really happening in Blue River.”

TNRD Area ‘O’ Director Bill Kershaw reported he participated in a tour up Highway 24 with Lower North Thompson Tourism Society marketing director Lorne Robertson last year. Tourism outlets along that corridor reported a 10 to 40 per cent increase in business for 2016.

“We put $40,000 into power and facility lighting upgrades at the North Thompson Fall Fair grounds,” said Kershaw, “The Fall Fair is becoming a focal point of our area.”

District of Barriere Mayor Virginia Smith reported the community’s new Wastewater Solar Aquatics plant is up and running.

“We have some of the community’s trailer parks hooked up and will have some of the residents hooked up in the spring,” said Smith, “The process is a little bit tricky, and we’ve had some issues with the wood chips freezing up.”

Smith noted that Barriere is still waiting for Health Canada approval of a medical marijuana plant to be built on the Louis Creek Industrial Park.

“Our wells are currently being upgraded thanks to a grant upgrade to our water system,” said Smith, “Our splash pad received a $150,000 grant from the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society, and $40,000 from MLA Terry Lake and is now up and running.  Fundraising is now taking place to build a skateboard park.  We are currently reviewing our OCP (Official Community Plan).”

She also noted that Kinder Morgan is coming to Barriere for an information meeting on Feb.  21.

“A local realtor says we are having more young families moving in now; once it was seniors,” said Smith,  “Young families can buy more house here for their dollars.”

TNRD Board vice-chair, Steve Rice, reported that physician retention remains a priority for Blue Sky Country. A new Bookmobile is on the way and the area has enjoyed a strong film industry presence over the past year.

TNRD Area ‘P’ Director Mel Rothenburger, noted that seeking a solution to Fire Protection funding continues to be a priority.

Forum participants heard from TNRD Development Services Director Regina Sadilkova regarding the proposed Regional Official Community Plan and its review process.

They also heard from representatives from Kinder Morgan who announced an Open House to take place in various communities in the Valley this February.  One will take place in Barriere on February 21, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. at the Ridge.

Interior Health’s Manager of Health Service for Hospital and Community Integrated Services, Cindy Perry, provided an overview of IHA’s current strategic direction. Staff representatives from Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure summarized recently completed highway projects in the area and heard concerns from forum participants including Dunn Lake Road maintenance issues and an increase in illegal litter and debris dumping along area highways.

Finally, Howard Randell, Executive Director of Network BC provided an update on Broadband / Cellular Initiatives in B.C.