Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On January 8, City of Kimberley council held its first regular bi-monthly meeting for the new year.

Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Woody Maguire, Sandra Roberts and Steven Royer were present along with Mayor Don McCormick. Coun. Jason McBain was absent.

An archive of the meeting can be found on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.

Jack Ratcliffe Commitment to Community Award

Pamela Walsh, Manager Community Development and Communication, introduced the Jack Ratcliffe Commitment to Community Award. She said it recognizes an individual who is or has made a “significant impact on Kimberley and making Kimberley a good place to be.”

She then asked Mayor Don McCormick to introduce and make the presentation to Patrick Barclay, the fourth recipient of the award. Jack Ratcliffe, the namesake and first recipient of the award, was in attendance.

Mayor McCormick told the gallery that Barclay received the award for his “exceptional dedication and contributions to Kimberley” over the past 40 years.

McCormick said Barclay is “a very humble man never looking for the spotlight for himself.” Concluding his remarks, the Mayor said, “Your leadership inspires others to do not only their fair share, but in many cases, more than their fair share.”

On receiving the award, Barclay said, “Thank you very much for the honour tonight. I see myself as one of many volunteers who has found that volunteering in itself is very rewarding. Working with others to support our community is a privilege.”

After thanking the city for its support of the Kimberley Rotary Club, Barclay concluded, “Kimberley is truly one of the best small towns in Canada, not just B.C.”

Learn more.

2023 was an exception year for construction in Kimberley

Troy Pollock, Manager Planning and Sustainability, presented a 2023 year-end building report.

Summarizing the past construction season, Pollock called it an “exceptional year.”

Despite a slow start to 2023, “things escalated quickly [to become the] highest ever, just shy of $55 million [total value]. A $20 million increase from the previous year, and $30 million increase from 2021.”

When it came to new dwelling construction, Pollock said there was a “huge jump, with 152 units approved by the end of the calendar year, which is more than double the amount from the previous two years.”

Pollock reported that between 2019 and 2023, there were “431 new dwellings” built. Comparing that to 2014-2018, when only 147 new units were built.

One highlight for Pollock this past year, the substantial increase in “the diversity of dwelling types.” The “107 purpose built multi-unit rental dwellings exceed all other types.” This total was over four times the number of single-unit dwellings (25).

Looking ahead to 2024, Pollock said, “Predictions are always risky, but I’d say we can’t expect to match or exceed last year.” He figures 2024 construction will be “average.”

Mayor McCormick referred to the multi-unit rentals as “a game changer” for the city, noting that type of housing is “the most affordable and least costly to build” compared to single-unit homes.

Kimberley city council meets twice monthly starting at 7 p.m. The next regular council meeting: January 22.

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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