By Andru McCracken
Seventeen community projects vied for $531,585.08 at the annual Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Program. If all the projects would have been funded the total ask would have been $722,898.47.
There was a record turnout on a sunny Sunday afternoon and residents showed up to evaluate the projects over the course of a three hour session. The public results will inform the recommendations made by the local CBT initiatives committee which then go to Council for final approval.
The projects included replacing the community bus, purchasing a new ice plant for the curling club, a modest grant for eavestrough and lawn care equipment by the Canoe Valley Community Association, the Valemount
Entertainment Society sought funding to be able to provide more digital channels.
The Valemount Junior Canadian Rangers were looking for some new camping gear. The Valemount Learning Centre sought $50,000 for a growing container, able to provide fresh vegetables year round.
The Legion applied for accessibility upgrades.
The library sought new computers, minor hockey was looking for a rink divider and to put on referee and coach clinics.
The Robson Valley Spay and neuter society asked for funding to help offset the cost of spaying and neutering pets and stray animals.
The Valemount Pines Golf and Country Club applied for some equipment, the Valemount Seniors Housing Society applied for funding to refurbish a room at the lodge..
Valemount Cares applied for some money to begin the process of developing local assisted living so seniors can age in their community.
The Valemount Bike Park applied for $116,740 to develop a new cross country trail system for novice riders.
The Valemount Sports Day committee applied for some kitchen appliances for the Sportsplex Grounds.
The Village applied for funding for a public washroom at Centennial Park.
