Grand Forks
Gazette
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2012
VOL 115 NO. 42
❚ Small biz talk
page 3 Minister holds morning business meeting.
❚ FAIR GROUNDS
Permanent site sought for fall fair much they would want, and the time frame. This included what the society would require from the city. Councillors Cher Wyers, Patrick O’Doherty, The Grand Forks and District Fall Fair Society Bob Kendel, Neil Krog and Gary Smith would is seeking a permanent home for the fair. Les Braden, president of the Grand Forks and also like to see a business plan. Braden noted that although the councilors District Fall Fair Society, proposed three options would like to see a business plan, it is difficult to recently to Grand Forks city council. The first is to purchase a portion of the Sug- create one when the society does not know what imoto property, which is currently potato farm- chunk of land they would be given. “We know what size we want, about 20 acres land located northerly to the city by North Fork/ Franklin Road; the second is dedicating a portion (eight hectares) – having talked with a couple of a parcel of land (Parcel Z) south of 68th Ave- of other B.C. fairs,” he explained. “They told us nue, including rezoning if required; and the third don’t go for anything less because you’re going option is dedicating approximately 3.5 acres west to need it in the future. If you’re trying to expand of Dick Bartlett Park and east of the Silver Kettle and put in permanent (buildings) you need a piece of land big enough to do Village. Braden hopes this will so.” be done by 2013. With additions including Braden reminded city counparking facilities and permacilors at a recent council meetnent buildings, Braden noted ing of a promise made in June that the Grand Forks and Dis1999 that then city council had trict Fall Fair Society is eyeing designated the property at the two places: Parcel Z or a part of west end of the city (Parcel Z Sugimoto’s land, which is still Plan 28940) for the fall fair and within the city limits and close other stakeholders. to water and sewer pipes. However, the promise was “I do know there are grants reversed several months later available but in order to get a by the incoming city council. grant, you have to have a piece “Council tried to say they LES BRADEN of land,” he said. “We want to aren’t responsible because it was a different council that said it, but morally be able to access grants that are available to assist they have an obligation to the people of Grand in the construction of buildings to house events, Forks to supply us with a decent sized chunk of the construction of which could be done to incorporate the future development of a community land,” Braden told the Grand Forks Gazette. Mayor Brian Taylor, who was also the presi- centre.” The idea of a community centre has been a dent of the fall fair society for three years, shares Braden’s frustrations with the lack of permanent big question for many organizations in Grand Forks that are looking for a larger facility to hold space. “The problem is, from the city’s side, we’re events. In Braden’s presentation, it was noted that a looking for an appropriate property that would give the versatility that would allow this to be community centre would also benefit the city as more than a one time a year site,” he told The Ga- an event location that can be used by community zette. “It has to be a site that will accommodate groups and organizations. Ultimately, Braden pointed out there should other groups and organizations that could utilize the space, such as the 4-H groups or agricultural be a public discussion with city council and residents on whether or not there should be a perorganizations.” During the meeting, Coun. Michael manent space. “If people feel that we don’t deserve it and Wirischagin noted that he supported the idea of nothing will become of anything, then let us finding a permanent home for the fall fair. “From my point of view, I don’t see Parcel Z know,” he concluded. “On the same token, if evas a bad fit,” he said, adding he would like to see erybody is in favour of it, we’ll keep working as a business plan from the society before he could we had the last couple of years in getting a peragree or make a motion. Wirischagin also ques- manent site.” – With files from Karl Yu tioned what would go onto the property, how
CASSANDRA CHIN Gazette Reporter
Halloween and horses Portia Dagg (left) with her horse Tucker dressed as Little Miss Muffet for the Boundary Horse Association’s Halloween Horse Show costume division on Sunday. Dagg is led by Wendy Price, who is dressed as a witch. For results go to page 17. Photos available online at www.grandforksgazette.ca CASSANDRA CHIN PHOTO
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