EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Authorities after owner of sunken vessel Page 2
New trail offers safe alternative for pedestrians Page 5
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 PM40008236
Vol. 53 No. 41 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (HST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Grant a kick start for water treatment Pilot: $50,000 will go to test filtration equipment. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The B.C. government has approved a $50,000 grant for the District of Sicamous to begin the effort to upgrade the community’s water supply. Bill Bennett, the province’s minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, was in Sicamous Wednesday to make the announcement – following through on a commitment made by Premier Christy Clark at the recent Union of BC Municipalities convention. “I want you to know… Bill has asked me to make sure we set this right. I know you need that water supply fixed, and we are going to help you do it,” Clark stated in her speech to UBCM delegates. While in Sicamous, Bennett was escorted by Mayor Darrell Trouton on a tour of the community and areas impacted by the June 23 debris flow in Two Mile. Bennett told the News that the $50,000 is specifically for a pilot project that will “test the technology the District of Sicamous is proposing to use for See Mayor certain on page 3
Damage done: Sicamous Mayor Darrell Trouton gives B.C.’s Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett some background on the flooding at Two Mile Creek and the damage that resulted. Photo by Lachlan Labere
Grooming society to receive grant advance for parking lot Land donated: Council approves $13,400 grant to improve safety for public and sledders. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The Eagle Valley Snowmobile Grooming Society will be receiving an advance on their $20,000, 2013 grant-in-aid request to the district for work that may resolve parking and safety issues off Solsqua-Sicamous Road. At their last meeting, council approved a request from the society for an advance of $13,440 to build a road to a parking area at 1721 Hillier Road that is being donated for use by sledders. Works services manager Grady MacDonald noted concerns have been expressed by the RCMP and residents of Solsqua about sledders travelling along the road, adding he considered the parking lot a good idea. Coun. Fred Busch was uncomfortable
he with the idea of passing the we don’t have any parking,” said d request, which council had Bushell. “There’s no place for just been informed of. He any of the big trailers to park. So w suggested council follow he’s offered it to us, and because o staff’s recommendation to the weather is so good he’s said st wait to consider the request he can probably get it in this year. nwith all of the 2013 grant-inAnd… we had some money that aid requests. we already spent over on Owl’s le Eagle Valley Snowmobile Head, and we didn’t have funds Fred Busch S) Grooming Society (EVSGS) to get this done this year… We general manager Gord Bushknow what kind of fix the disell said the society realized applications trict is in with everything going on this year. wouldn’t be looked at until the new year. but we thought we’d ask…” He explained, however, that the property’s District financial services director Ruth owner, Greg Darrough, has encouraged the Walper explained the advance, if granted, work to be done this year to keep sledders would be reflected in the financial statefrom parking along the road. ments as a grant in aid for 2012, adding that “That’s our biggest problem with Queest council already approved all 2012 grant-inis our attendance there is very low because aid requests in their entirety, exceeding the
district policy threshold. Walper did suggest council, if approving the advance, could reduce the money available for district grants in 2013. Council faced another roadblock from district community planning officer Mike Marrs, who explained the zoning on Darrough’s property is large holdings, which wouldn’t permit the parking area. He suggested the owner apply for a temporary use permit, and work towards rezoning. Unlike Busch, Coun. Terry Rysz was all for making the request happen, both for the sledding community as well as the community at large. “I personally drive this road every day of the year and the safety issue is a serious concern, and I’ve seen several… and I’ve alSee District staff on page 2