Kimberley Daily Bulletin, February 15, 2016

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MONDAY

FEBRUARY 15, 2016

WILDSIGHT PRESENTS

KIJHL

FOOD FOREST WORKSHOP

CLASH OF THE RIVALS

Dynamiters vs Fernie See SPORTS page 7

See LOCAL NEWS page 4

Buying Selling Buying or Selling Call Marilyn First Call First

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THE BULLETIN PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 84, Issue 30 | www.dailybulletin.ca

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$4.5 million for Gerry Sorensen Way No cost to Kimberley taxpayers C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor

You know that bumpy, pot-hole riddled ride up Gerry Sorensen Way? It’s about to get a lot smoother. The City of Kimberley announced Friday that they will receive a $4.5 million grant — or 100 per cent of costs, whichever is lesser — for the Gerry Sorensen Way Reconstruction project

under the Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund. The only cost to the City of Kimberley would be if the project goes over $4.5 million and Mayor Don McCormick says that $4.5 million is more than enough to see it done. This will involve full reconstruction and repaving of Gerry Sorensen Way from the bottom to up past the ski bridge. See REPAVE, Page 3

Development Initiative gaining momentum Cranbrook Kimberley joint development initiative is seeing success C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor COURTESY KAR

Donna Briggs and Lloyd Steeves present James “Sim” Hannay a signed banner from all the Fidelity Cup FIS Racers. Sim is the mastermind behind the Night Slalom — he thought of the idea, he organizes it, runs it, gets sponsors, etc. He has been the foundation of ski racing at Kimberley Alpine Resort for over 30 years. The banner represents a big thank you to Sim for his passion, commitment and energy (the ultimate volunteer) over the years.

City to meet with Ministry staff on industrial land issue C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor

It has been a slow process, over many years, but some forward momentum is beginning to be seen on the issue of freeing up industrial lands in Kimberley. The lands in question, particularly the bench lands above Marysville and the old shop site in Townsite, have been in limbo for years as the City hasn’t been able to gain a certificate of compliance from the Ministry of En-

vironment to allow the lands to be developed. Mayor Don McCormick says that the City has met with Teck, who “continue to e a great partner”. “They have been working diligently on this whole issue of freeing up lands for us to use.” Today, Monday, February 15, McCormick will have a meeting with Teck representatives and the Mayor of Trail to discuss the issue. “Our issues are a little differ-

ent but there is still some synergy,” McCormick said. On Tuesday, February 16 comes the important meeting with Ministry of Environment staff. McCormick is optimistic. “We believe there is a path forward, especially on the bench and Townsite land. We are making some really good progress.”

The Cranbrook Kimberley Development Initiative — a joint venture between the two cities to attract industrial development to the area — is proceeding and is seeing some very positive momentum. Mayor Don McCormick updated Council on the CKDI last week. He said that he and Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt had been in Vancouver the previous week to attend the BC Economic Development Minister’s dinner. It was important opportunity, McCormick said, to get facetime with Minister Shirley Bond. “We were able to get a meeting with Minister Bond and talk about the Cranbrook Kimberley Development Initiative,”

Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick he said. “I’d like to thank Minister Bill Bennett for arranging the meeting with Minister Bond,” said Mayor Pratt. “It went very well. She gave us an indication that she would do something for us and it’s already happening.” McCormick said there were two major accomplishments, 1) a connection was made with the Major Investment Office. “All major industrial development coming to B.C. funnels through this office. We are just looking for leads.”

Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt

Second, the mayors asked for a contact in the Minister’s office to help circumvent red tape. McCormick says that he believes that the amount of work done, and money raised makes a real difference. “The amount of work we’ve done has been recognized. It was mentioned at the dinner.” CKDI has raised $250,000 through local businesses, $20,000 from the two cities, which leverages matching funds from the Columbia Basin Trust.

See CKDI, page 3


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