Changes to business rules considered
$1.10 Includes TAX
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SPOTLIGHT The Similkameen
Wednesday, January 20 2016
Volume 65 Issue 3
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
“We’re going to get some things done” Andrea DeMeer Spotlight Staff
Plans for an indoor pool, new walking trails, park improvements, an arena facelift and an in-yourface town clean up program are all on the agenda for Princeton in 2016. A list of operational and capital priorities was released at town council’s meeting Monday night. While no dollar values were associated with the proposed projects, CAO Rick Zerr said the priority setting exercise “will inform the budget process.” The town’s budget must be approved by May 15th. Armitage acknowledged the goals set by councillors in a series of recent in-camera meetings are aggressive, in a way that is perhaps atypical of local governance in the past. “We’re going to get some things done,” he said. “You have to run the town as a business and we can achieve this.” Armitage stressed that all of council’s expressed wishes have equal priority. Referencing the recent annexation of Copper Mountain Mine, he said “with the new tax dollars we will have the money to do some planning” for an aquatic center. He added there is “optimism” that grants will be available for the project as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2017. “Council is confident in the community’s desire to pursue a health, wellness and aquatic center,” he stated in a written report. “It is council’s desire to be ready when capital funding programs are announced.” A new walkway and park area is also planned to benefit the residents of Allison Flats. The current
path from the flats area to the town center along the dike is “an accident waiting to happen,” he said Monday night. The municipality purchased property along the river in 2015, while legal wrangling with a private owner attempting to restrict public access to the area is ongoing. The improvements for 2016 include paving the path, site clean up, planting shade trees and installing benches and tables. “This will not only enhance the pathway, but also create a nice destination park and green space that will improve the look and feel of our downtown core,” the written report said. Downtown beautification is also in council’s sights, said the mayor. Trees destroyed by the 2014 storm will be replaced, street lights repainted, benches refinished and sidewalk repairs made. Additionally, the town intends to put teeth into legislation covering unsightly properties. “I’ve already declared that I’m going to lead this,” said Armitage. The mayor promised existing bylaws regarding property maintenance will be enforced with new vigor, while town staff finds ways to help property owners clean up. Finding ways to dispose of “junk” and arranging pick up from residences were two means identified. “We want to get rid of the old cars,” he said, “but we want to appeal to people on a positive basis and assist them.” Also with beautification in mind the Princeton arena will receive improvements including an outside paint job and new exterior lighting. The 32-year-old arena, covered with metal, “looks like an airplane that crashed and burned, with all due respect,” said Armitage.
Weather Watch Wednesday
High 2/Low 1
Thursday
High 4/Low 1
Friday
High 5/Low 4
Saturday
High 2/Low 0
Sunday
High 1/Low 1
One of town council’s priorities for the coming year is to begin planning for an indoor aquatic and wellness center.
Other initiatives planned for the coming year include upgrades to Centennial Pool Park, including play and water spray equipment and new electronic signage for Highway 3 to promote events
and attactions. Additionally, several projects begun or announced in 2015 will be completed in the next 12 months. These include the installation of elevators at the municipal hall and
museum, cemetery enhancements, a new municipal website and a review of the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw.
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