Kimberley City Council Report

By Nowell Berg

On August 27, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.

Councillors Kent Goodwin, Albert Hoglund, Nigel Kitto, Darryl Oakley and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick. Coun. Bev Middlebrook attended via conference call.

Centre 64 needs a new roof

The Kimberley Arts Council submitted a request to council for $75,000 as part of a matching grant proposal to Columbia Basin Trust. The funds would be used to repair the leaky roof on Centre 64. As part of that proposal, the Arts Council would also use the funds for theatre seat replacement and repair of water damage to walls and flooring.

In a presentation to council, Chris Mummery, Senior Manager of Operations said, “Upon further review of the application, it was just to replace the actual roof surface nothing underneath [i.e. the roof truss system].”

Mummery said the roof had been compromised over the years by snow and ice built-up. He added there were also “insulation issues” with the northeast section of the roof. As well, An engineering report indicated “the roof structure does not meet the snow load requirements for Kimberley.”

Mummery’s request to council was “to procure a structural engineer to provide a design to upgrade the existing roof truss systems and roof to bring both into compliance with current building codes.”

In summary, Mummery said, “We need to get some solid pricing on what it’s going to cost us to fix this building up properly so we do this project only one time, get it done right.”

In order to follow Mummery’s plan, council defeated the Arts Council request for $75,000.

Council approved spending up to $20,000 for “a structural engineer” report on the repair costs to the existing roof truss system.

Two Tommies for Veterans Memorial Park

Military Ames received approval from council to install two silhouette soldiers, called Tommies, at the Veterans Memorial Park.

According to Cindy Postnikoff, these steel silhouettes “commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.” The soldier silhouettes are life size standing six feet tall.

“We thought they would be a beautiful addition to the park. We’re going to put one on each end of the Memorial Wall [to] stand as guards,” Postnikoff said.  As symbols, “they are ghost soldiers” representing all military personnel who have been part of the Canadian Forces.

“All proceeds from the sale of the Tommies go to help Veterans,” she added.

Already ordered, it’s anticipated the Tommies will be installed at the park in time for Remembrance Day.

Military Ames is a Veteran Camaraderie Group that meets twice a month. If you are a veteran and would like more information, please contact Postnikoff at 250 919-3137.

55+ Games transit donation

Council unanimously voted to provide an in-kind grant to the 55+ BC Games in the form of providing one transit bus and driver for the dedicated use of the Games. The bus will be used to move Games participants from hotels to venues.

The 55+ BC Games asked the city to provide “free transit to all accredited participants and registered non-participants during the Games.”

Troy Pollock, Manager Planning Services, told council that a free fare on regular transit rides was not possible as “it does not work with our system [routes and scheduling].”

The Transportation group at the 55+ Games and local Transit Coordinator will undertake the scheduling of the bus and driver.

The 55+ BC Games, hosted by Kimberley and Cranbrook, take place September 11 – 15 at venues in both cities. Dragon Boat races take place a Wasa Lake.

Kimberley City Council meets twice monthly. All meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.

Due to the Union of BC Municipalities’ conference schedule for the week of September 10, the next regular council meeting will be September 24.

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