No beers
The board has voted against the Hazelton Minor Hockey Association’s proposal to operate a beer garden during their home games at the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre. Directors denied the request after concluding that it was a family-friendly, wellness-oriented facility and that the centre has yet to establish an alcohol policy to oversee the proposal.
Currently, the RDKS does not have a policy pertaining to liquor licenses and related events. The Planning Department plans to eventually bring forward a Liquor and Cannabis policy to the board.
Bunny hill lift
The regional district supports My Mountain Co-op’s grant application for $250,000 to the Northern Development Initiative Trust to replace the existing rope tow beginner lift with an enclosed conveyor lift on Shames Mountain ski hill. The new conveyor lift will provide safer access to beginners and mobility challenged users. The new lift will also enable Shames Mountain to create and operate snow tubing lanes for non-skiers.
The project’s total cost is estimated to be $565,000, whereas the co-op plans to seek the remainder of funds from their regional corporate funders, member-based fundraisers and other grant programs.
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Support for recovery
The board will write a letter of support for the Northern Women’s Recovery House Society to help them seek funding from the Terrace Community Foundation and the Four Rivers Co-op Fund to conduct a feasibility study that will determine the viability of a women’s recovery house in northern B.C.
Ministry visit
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI)’s district manager of Bulkley-Stikine Carl Lutz attended the recent district meeting to discuss the no cellular service corridor on Hwy 37. Earlier this year, the RDKS wrote a letter to the ministry requesting that a “no cell service” sign be put up at the Kitwanga turnoff advising drivers to be prepared but was told it was not MOTI’s responsibility.
Directors also presented other highway safety issues in the region. Lutz listened to reports and promised to present matters further with the ministry. Although MOTI putting up a sign is unlikely, the board is now seeking alternative ways to erect the sign.
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Community cleanup
The RDKS will consult residents of Dease Lake through an open house and brochures on whether a volunteer community cleanup program should be initiated.
In 2018, nearly 300 property owners were sent information and a form inquiring about participation but only eight people responded. Only four offered their assistance as volunteers. The form provided a waiver to allow the volunteer group to access their properties and permission to dispose of items.
Although Dease Lake does not have a bylaw in effect for residents to keep clean yards, director Tina Etzerza says unsightly properties may affect house values in neighbourhoods.
natalia@terracestandard.com
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