TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2016
IN THE GALLERY
IN THE GARDEN
CENTRE 64
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN CLUB
Brandon Gabriel show opens this week. See LOCAL NEWS page 3
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See LOCAL NEWS page 4
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PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 84, Issue 77 | www.kimberleybulletin.com
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Business as usual at Cominco Gardens At least for this year
C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
Although the potential for budget changes at Cominco Gardens has been hotly discussed on the letters page of this newspaper and throughout the community, nothing has changed. It’s business as usual for this year. “The budget for this year is approved and done,” said Mayor Don McCormick. However, the future of the Gardens is still being looked at as part of an overall City assets review. All assets are under review, the Mayor says, but no decisions have been made. “I think it’s a timing issue,” he said of the burst of concern from residents. “Clearly as
part of the budget process, we have been looking at assets. But no decision has been made and it doesn’t impact this year.” “I’m very grateful to City Council for providing the Gardens with a full budget for this year. I am aware of the economic challenges the city is facing and I appreciate Council recognizing how important the Gardens are to the community” said Gardens’ Manager, Dan Matheson. However Matheson also recognizes that the future is uncertain. “2017 is the 90th Anniversary of Cominco Gardens. I know that all of us hope that this natural gem will be here long past the anniversary for future generations to enjoy, but time and budget constraints will tell.” See GARDENS, p. 3
CAROLYN GRANT PHOTO
Head gardener Dan and assistant Patricia plant dahlias last Friday.
Kimberley Mainroad, province sign 7-year contract Aquatic Centre closed until June TRE VOR CR AWLEY
Main water pipe breaks flooding mechanical room C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
A major mechanical break down has caused the Kimberley Aquatic Centre to close and it is estimated it will be at least eight weeks before it re-opens. “It’s really unfortunate,” said Mayor Don McCormick. “What happened was that the brac-
ing that supports the main six inch water pipe gave way and the pipe broke. The mechanical room is in the basement and it filled up with water. There was major damage to components.” The good news is the damage will be covered by insurance. “That was the first thing we checked,” McCormick said. “It’s covered. “The major issue is the inconvenience of the facility being out of commission.”
A new seven-year contract has been signed between Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting and the provincial government, announced Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett on Friday. The new contract, which provides for $16.7 million annually over the term, replaces an expiring contract between the same two entities that includes new standards and specifications and close to $500,000 in additional annual funding. “This new contract increases the amount spent on maintenance by $490,000 a year so Mainroad will be able to
Mainroad East Kootenay has retained the highways contract for seven years. meet the expectations of people in the region,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in a
press release. “With Mainroad continuing as the maintenance contractor for this area, there will be a smooth
transition to the new contract and the comfort that an experienced contractor with employees who are knowledge-
BULLETIN FILE PHOTO
able about the local issues will continue to keep our highways safe.” See MAINROAD, p. 5