THURSDAY
S I N C E
NOVEMBER 29, 2012
Re/Max 1 8 9 5 reigns in TCHL Page 10
Vol. 117, Issue 223
110
$
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
‘Survey says’
WK Transit open houses will help shape future Trail meeting scheduled for Dec. 6 at Selkirk College campus
Questions answered in relocation of Trail and District Public Library BY SHERI REGNIER
BY ART HARRISON
Times Staff
Times Correspondent
As the next story line in the relocation of the Trail and District Public Library remains unwritten, the second chapter, which included a public survey, ended on a high note. “We received 406 survey responses and 66 per cent of those surveyed said that they would like the library to relocate to a larger and more accessible location,” said Barbara Gibson, chair of the library board. A large percentage of those surveyed also said that they consider the library a vital part of the community, and not just ‘nice to have’, explained Gibson. This month the library board asked Greater Trail residents to go on-line or stop by the library to complete a survey of 12 questions that ranged from amount of use, ranking of services provided, relocation options and potential new services. With a time frame of two weeks to gather as many responses as possible, the board members and the hired consultants, were very pleased with the number of people who took time to fill out the survey. “With a population of 9,000 between Trail and Warfield, 406 is pretty good,” said Gibson. “I am not up on statistics but when the township of 100,000 in Langley were asked to do the survey, they only got 500 done.” The next step on the road to relocation, is an open house hosted by the library board Saturday in the Memorial Centre, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Results from the survey will be on display with board members and a member of the consulting team, on hand to answer questions and gain more input from the public about what it would like to ultimately see in the library. “Once we have the input from the open house, it goes back to the consultants and they will do a relocation report with some cost estimates,” said Gibson.
The public transit system within the West Kootenay stands poised to become one of the few truly regional transit systems in the province. The West Kootenay Transit Committee is holding a series of open houses within the region to inform the public of the plans and seek final input before it goes fully operational in the spring of 2013. “We’re looking at these open houses as opportunities to show the map of the proposed sys- “We want to tem and outgive people line the fares an idea of and schedules for the public,” how it will said Meribeth look in the Burton, corspring and porate spokesperson for BC ask if the Transit. schedule “We want to works.” give people an idea of how it MERIBETH BURTON will look in the spring and ask if the schedule works.” The goal of the committee has been to develop a transit system for the area where someone can get on a bus in Trail and travel straight through to Castlegar, the Slocan Valley, Nakusp, or Nelson and all points between. The West Kootenay Transit system incorporates seven different regions currently operating nine different systems into a single entity. The advantage of the regional system is that pooling the transit resources of many smaller communities reduces the operational cost for all and provides greatly increased convenience for people wanting to travel throughout the area without having to use personal vehicles. “The smaller the system, the more expensive it is to operate,” said Burton. See STUDENTS, Page 2
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
The Trail Smoke Eaters pitched in to help the Trail Kiwanis Club unload over a thousand trees into its Butler Park location on Wednesday.
Trees arrive by the truckload BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
East Trail had that familiar scent of Christmas in the air on Wednesday, as the Trail Kiwanis Club, with help from the Trail Smoke Eaters, unloaded over a thousand trees into its Butler Park locale. For over 50 years, the Trail Kiwanis Club has sold Christmas trees, its biggest fundraiser, and put all the profits back into over 30 community charities. “All money that is raised here, stays here,” said Brian Pipes, long time treeseller for the Kiwanis. The trees will be for sale from Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, or until they run out.
This year, the fragrant balsam firs were shipped to Trail from the Pine Meadows Tree Farm in Chilliwack. In addition to the balsam, the group is selling Douglas firs that were supplied from the East Kootenay Tree Service in Fort Steele. Prices range from $15 for a smaller fir tree to $125 for a larger sheared or cultured specimen. The Kiwanis will be selling trees Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Friday until 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a box on site, for nonperishable food items, with all donations going to the Trail United Church food bank.
Stay flexible. term deposits
TFSAs
profit sharing
RRSPs
In life, being flexible keeps you open to opportunity. Ask us about the early redemption options on our Kootenay Saver term deposit and other investments. Great rates, flexibility, and as always, our 100% deposit guarantee. Trust Kootenay Savings.
better. together.
kscu.com
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012