I N S I D E : Fatality on Hwy 40. Page 2
Journal ASHCROFT t CACHE CREEK
Volume 120 No 4 PM # 400121123
The
Thursday, January 24, 2013
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Landfill Extension ratified by TNRD
Member of Parliament Mark Strahl was in Ashcroft on Jan. 16 to announce a $30,000 grant for Community Hall improvements under the federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. Present for the announcement were Ashcroft Council and several of the Hall’s user groups. (Above) Administrator Michelle Allen, Coun. Alice Durksen, MP Strahl, Mayor Andy Anderson and councillors Jackie Tegart and Helen Kormendy.
Ashcroft receives $30,000 for Hall upgrades Ashcroft’s Community Hall will be celebrating its 125th birthday this year with a nice little “make-over”, thanks in part to a $30,000 grant from the federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF). Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for ChilliwackFraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced the financial support for upgrades to the Hall last week. “I am proud to see Ashcroft benefit from our Government’s support for community infrastructure,” said MP Strahl.
A lot of applicants for infrastructure funding from this popular program weren’t successful, he said. With this funding, the community hall will be upgraded to make it more energy efficient. The upgrades include lowering and insulating the ceiling, installing insulated panels on the walls, and setting up new energy-efficient lighting. “As a small village our hall is an important facility for community events,” said Ashcroft Mayor Andy Anderson. “Our users include indoor walking groups, yoga classes, cadet training, community dinners and dances, local talent performances,
funerals, elections and so many other events.” Without the federal government’s assistance, these improvements would not be possible for many more years, he added. The Village is hoping to be able to use the grant to access money from other grant programs that require the applicant to use a percentage of their own money for the project. Ashcroft Administrator Michelle Allen said they are hoping to raise $90,000 to finish all of the work they’re hoping to do on the Hall, which includes outdoor landscaping. She says work will start
this Spring. Some indoor activity may be interrupted while interior renovations are being done. In Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government announced further support to help communities across the country modernize their infrastructure. Our Government committed $150 million over two years for the Fund. The Fund supports projects that look to improve existing community infrastructure accessible for use by the public, such as community centres, recreational buildings, local arenas, cultural and other community facilities.
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At its Jan. 17 board meeting, the TNRD ratified the Ministry of Environment’s (MOE) approval of the Extension’s inclusion in the regional district’s Solid Waste Management Plan in a vote of 25-1. The only dissenting vote was from Area P director John Sternig, who opposed waste being imported into the area. “I’m very delighted to have gotten this far in ensuring the continuation of the landfill industry for Cache Creek,” said Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta. The Extension will accept 750,000 tonnes per year to a max of 15 million tonnes for a lifespan of approximately 20 years if the annual maximum was reached. Ranta sayd they are not anticipating that it will meet the yearly limit without Metro Vancouver, which provides almost half of the province’s municipal garbage. The Village of Cache Creek will share the operating permit of the new landfill with Belkorp Environmental Services Inc (BESI). The CCLF Extension has the support of the TNRD, the neighbouring Village of Ashcroft, the Ashcroft Indian Band and the Bonaparte Indian Band. The facility secures the industry in the region, and provides new economic development opportunities for the Indian Bands. The CCLF Extension is different from the current Cache Creek Landfill (operated by Wastech Services, a subsidiary of BESI) on a number of fronts, as it is not limited to servicing only one customer. There are no customers yet, says Ranta, but “The Extension will be a viable option for municipalities in the southwest and interior areas of the province, and on Vancouver Island.” Design and technical features unique to the CCLF Extension set the facility apart from other waste management options. According to Russ Black, Vice President of Corporate Development for BESI, a significant benefit of the facility will be its affordability and flexibility, which means it won’t compete with efforts to minimize waste and increase diversion. “The Extension will be developed in stages, and this flexibility will keep costs lower than other disposal options for municipalities. This means municipal budgets can be directed to focussing on increasing recycling and composting,” says Russ Black. “From a lifecycle See LANDFILL on p. 8
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