I N S I D E : Spence’s bridge takes a toll on Cook’s ferry. Page 12
Journal ASHCROFT t CACHE CREEK
Volume 119 No 29 PM # 400121123
The
Thursday, July 17, 2014
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Clinton and Ashcroft among towns getting additional funds
New playground opens in Cache Creek Cache Creek’s new playground was officially opened on July 13, with Mayor John Ranta and Councillors Lisa
FUN IN THE SUN as two enthusiastic users try out the new park equipment.
Photos by Barbara Roden
Dafoe and Herb Hofer cutting the ribbon on the new and improved feature of the village’s park. The mayor thanked MP Mark Strahl for his assistance in obtaining funding for the project. The Canada Economic Action Plan provided half of the $256,000 funding, with the Village of Cache Creek matching the grant. Ranta said that a frequently asked question was why, when the village already had perfectly good equipment, did they need to get rid of it. The answer is that a risk management team from the Municipal Insurance Association assessed the old equipment and reported that it was not compliant with current safety regulations. The new pieces all comply with these regulations, and at least one of the old pieces was able to be retained after suitable modifications to bring it up to current standards. The project also enabled the Village to fill in and grass
over the area in which the playground is situated, raising it so that it is less liable to flooding. Ranta noted that when much of the park was flooded earlier this year, the playground area was untouched, which has not always been the case in the past. One concern that has been raised is about the use of wood chips around the base of the equipment. The Village had hoped to use engineered wood fibre, instead of the chips, which can result in splinters. Ranta said that Village staff are looking into the situation to see what can be done to remedy it, with one possibility being replacing the wood chips with washed pea gravel similar to what was in the old playground. Those who lament the absence of the popular mechanical digger piece of equipment will be reassured to hear that it will be back as soon as more suitable material for digging in can be installed.
Barbara Roden
Clinton and Ashcroft are among six communities in the Fraser-Nicola riding receiving funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund. The announcement was made by Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, who said that more than $1.5 million in unconditional funding will be shared by Clinton ($196,932), Ashcroft ($268,439), Merritt ($393,955), Lillooet ($273,135), Princeton ($289,527), and Squamish-Lillooet ($132,358). It is part of almost $74 million going to communities across the province to meet local needs, including new equipment, infrastructure, more policing, and increased community safety initiatives. “The government recognizes how important it is to support small, rural communities,” said Tegart. “This is a significant source of revenue for local governments.”
The Thompson River steelhead fishery opening has been extended until Oct. 31, subject to conservation requirements. Previously, the lower Thompson River angling season was open from June 1 to Sept. 30, with potential openings for steelhead anglers in November and December if returns warranted. The new management practice keeps the fishery open until Oct. 31, with the potential of either extending the season to Dec. 31, or initiating an early closure, depending on steelhead stock status. The changes provide increased opportunity to anglers while ensuring that steelhead conservation re-
JULY FLYER SPECIALS! Clinton Home Building Centre
Barbara Roden
Steelhead fishery extended to Oct. 31 on lower Thompson
Hurry in for all of our
We have been omitted in error from the store listings on the new Home Hardware July Flyer. The Flyer is valid July 9 - 19, 2014.
Recipients of SCIF monies can direct the funds toward whatever projects they consider top priorities in their community. The Strategic Community Investment Fund includes the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program (which is intended to assist with investments in community safety), the Small Community Grant, and Regional District Grant Programs. Small Community Grants apply to communities with a population of less than 20,000, and are used for infrastructure, to ensure stable administration, and for service delivery priorities. The program supports local government efforts to stimulate local economies, and provides increased financial security for small communities. Payment to each of the recipients will be made in five instalments.
building centre
250-459-2544 Fax: 250-459-2596
mains the priority throughout the lower Thompson River system (downstream of Kamloops Lake). Two other changes were made in the catch-and-release steelhead fishery on the lower Thompson. These are: * Implementing a hook size restriction of no more than 15 mm from point to shank from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. * Implementing a Sept. 20 to Dec. 31. bait ban on the Thompson River from Martel down to the confluence of the Thompson and Fraser River at Lytton, and that portion of the Fraser River from the confluence with the Thompson River See FISHERY on p. 5