Valemount gearing up for ReDi grant decisions
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Valemount non-profits are getting ready for this year’s round of Resident-Directed grants, commonly referred to as ReDi grants. Funded by Columbia Basin Trust, the ReDi program allows residents to give input on which local projects should be funded by the Trust.
This year, Valemount organizations are requesting a total of about $383,000 in funding, less than the roughly $493,000 available, said Village Grant Writer Taggart Wilson. Leftover funds will be rolled over into next year’s ReDi program.
The ReDi grant process includes a public presentation of project proposals, held this year on Sunday, March 2nd, and a public survey which allows residents to rank projects on a scale of zero to five, with five indicating strong support. The survey can be accessed on the Village of Valemount’s website and is open until midnight on Thursday, March 6th.
This year, 11 organizations applied for the program, with a total of 12 projects.
Valemount Fire Department: Structure Protection Unit
The Valemount Volunteer Fire Department is applying for $16,550 to fund a Structure Protection Unit – a type of trailer equipped with pumps, sprinklers, a hose, and other tools needed to fight wildfires that encroach on buildings. The trailer would contain enough equipment to protect at least 35 residential buildings from a forest fire, according to the presentation.
“This is something that we need to help protect homes that are outside of reach,” said Donovan Gee, Deputy Chief for the fire department. “Any interface homes where you have a lot of trees right beside a home that’s a long way from a hydrant, you need to be able to protect that home somehow when the fire is approaching.”
Legion Branch 266: Kitchen expansion and renovation
The Valemount branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is requesting $45,000 to expand and renovate the building’s kitchen. The renovations would include installing a commercial three bay sink, a commercial dishwasher and a hand washing area. It would also allow the organization to expand its kitchen by another five and a half feet.
“Right now, the space isn’t really functional for us,” said presenter Dave Blanchette. “It’s a polka to try and get things done.”
Rocky Mountain Racing Association: Water truck
The Rocky Mountain Racing Association, based in Cedarside, is applying for $40,000 to purchase a water truck. The Truck would allow the organization to reduce dust and contribute to fire suppression, said Tamara and Joel Cinnamon. The organization would use the truck to suppress wildfires in the Cedarside area if necessary, they said.
Organizers water the race track the night before a race to reduce dust, and they are currently renting water trucks, Tamara Cinnamon said.
“[Dust] means the drivers can’t see. It’s a really big safety piece for us. It’s also going to be an economic impact: more racers, because racers want to race on a good track. More racers results in more visitors,” she added. “If we had our own water truck and we weren’t taking away from the ones in town, we would certainly be available to go out on fires.”
VARDA: Bike park trail rehabilitation
The Valemount and Area Recreation Development Association, commonly referred to as VARDA, is requesting almost $15,000 to rehabilitate the Bacon and Tinfoil Hat trails in the Valemount Bike Park, and to improve the skills development area in the main staging location. This includes assessing trail conditions, regrading worn-out sections, and installing drainage features, among other improvements, according to the organization.
“Staff and volunteers spend countless hours every year on regular maintenance of the area, although there are times where regular maintenance does not cut it,” said Tanner Ross, who sits on the Association’s board of directors. “This project represents a one-time investment in essential upgrades that will extend the life of these important trails.”
VARDA: Swift Creek study
VARDA is also applying for about $60,000 to fund another project, a study of the Swift Creek property. The Association hopes to enhance the property by developing it further, for example by establishing dry campgrounds for mountain bikers, said presenter Sean Kelly. However, the property falls within one of the Village’s Development Permit Areas, meaning the Association will have to satisfy extensive regulations to develop the land.
Construction engineering company McElhanney quoted the Association about $60,000 to conduct environmental, technical and historical assessments on the property, Kelly said. The analyses will help identify future infrastructure and tourism opportunities for the Swift Creek area, and ensure future projects are built safely and sustainably, he added.
“It’s really important that anything that’s done on that piece of property is done properly with the right geotech and engineering behind it,” Kelly said. “We’ve got some ideas of potentially putting in some small campsites, day use areas, potentially toilet facilities. These are all just in the idea phase right now, with the goal of maintaining public access to the space and increasing recreation opportunities.”
Valemount Curling Club: Door replacements
The Valemount Curling Club is requesting nearly $32,000 to replace six exterior doors at the club. Last year, the club requested about $50,000 to replace the club’s exterior doors. Since then, the club has re-evaluated its request and attained more detailed quotes from contractors, presenters said.
Valemount Community Sports Day Association: Valemountain Days
The Valemount Community Sports Day Association is requesting about $18,000 to pay for activities and performers at Valemountain Days. The budget items – which include a petting zoo, the purchase of a dunk tank and cotton candy machine for this year and future years – were informed by consulting with residents and youths on what they would like to see at the event this year, said board member Rashmi Narayan. Additionally, the funding would contribute to sidewalk chalk murals, which would be created live by high school students at the event, said presenter Jory Wong.
“We’re seeking to strengthen partnerships, have new events, keep the event free, as well as offer compensation for locals who have to volunteer their time to make this event fun,” Narayan said.
Valemount Entertainment Society: TV guide and backup equipment
The Valemount Entertainment Society is requesting about $39,000 for two projects: an on-screen TV guide and the purchase of backup equipment for radio and television broadcasting. The TV guide would be located on a dedicated channel where users could see the schedule for the 20 channels locally available, said presenter Michael Peters. Additionally, the Society does not currently have a spare digital television or radio broadcast equipment – this means if a piece of equipment breaks, it takes four to six weeks to have it repaired or replaced, according to Peters.
“There is an online television guide that you can go to… but a lot of our viewers aren’t really computer literate or they don’t really want to get onto computers,” Peters said. “They’ve been asking us to put on an online television guide.”
Valemount Learning Centre: Emotional intelligence program
The Valemount Learning Centre is requesting nearly $8,000 to provide an eight-week emotional intelligence program, which would allow residents to learn emotional regulation skills. The program is adapted from the Circle of Security Parenting Program, which teaches emotional regulation for parents and their children, and has been expanded to suit adults with or without children, said literacy coordinator Regena Bergen. The Centre will pay for food for participants, as well as a babysitter if parents of young children enrol.
“I’ll be teaching the program, but I’ll need a co-facilitator. My job is only 18 hours a week, so we’ll have to pay me for a few of the hours to teach it every week,” Bergen added. “We will be teaching it in September.”
Valemount Marina Association: Boom Log Replacement
The Valemount Marina Association is requesting about $61,000 to purchase infrastructure that will prevent debris from floating through the Kinbasket Reservoir. Currently, the organization uses fir logs which are anchored to the bottom of the lake, said presenter Trent Clark.
The boom log replacement would consist of synthetic floating devices that could block debris, and would likely not need replacement for another 20 to 25 years.
Valemount Senior Citizens Housing Society: Ash Street Seniors Housing Project
The Valemount Senior Citizens Housing Society is requesting about $19,500 for the remaining touches on the Ash Street Seniors Housing Project. The money would fund more kitchen equipment, furniture for guest rooms, and maintenance equipment such as lawn mowers and snow blowers, said presenter Rob Hennigar. Furnishing a guest room would allow the organization to generate small amounts of revenue, he added.
“We’re really down to the final straws – we’re ready to open the doors. We’re hoping [at the] end of March we’re able to open it up and start having people come through,” Hennigar said. “Our only other way of earning this revenue is off the backs of people that live there. Other than raising rents… our fundraising ability is minimal.”
Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association: Trail safety and enhancement
The Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association is requesting $30,000 for trail improvements, along with routine maintenance such as trail brushing and cleanup. This includes bolstering deteriorating bridges and boardwalks, widening narrow trails, and replacing old signage, said presenter Patricia Thoni. Among the trails targeted for improvement are Little Lost Lake, Swift Creek, Cranberry Marsh and Jackman Flats, according to the presentation.
