A spectrum of community projects will soon be flush with cash.
The Regional District of East Kootenay board of directors has recently approved a total of $1,063,163 for 140 Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Community Initiatives and Affected Areas programs for 2015-16.
“The approved projects cover everything from education programs to community hall upgrades, sports programs and history projects,” said Rob Gay, RDEK board chair in a recent press release. “On behalf of the RDEK Board and our residents, I want to thank the Trust for providing this funding for so many different community-based projects, many of which could not happen without this support. I also want to extend our thanks to the volunteers who give their time and energy to make these projects happen.”
The community initiatives and affected areas program is one of the CBT’s oldest initiatives to support Basin communities after public input has been reviewed by participating municipalities, electoral area directors and the board.
The Family Resource Centre (FRC) accepted a $9,500 approved project grant to find a solution for affordable housing in the Columbia Valley. The Need and Demand Assessment Update was used to measure the market demands for affordable housing and to identify a collective approach to cater to the needs of individual communities within the Columbia Valley.
In addition, the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley received a total of $8,177.70 for the Bereavement Support Group and Visitor/Facilitator Training through the CBT Community Initiatives and Affected Areas program; there was $11,250 approved for a wheelchair ramp at the Invermere District Curling Club; the Lake Windermere Ambassadors Society received $2,500 for the Columbia Headwaters Community-Based Invasive Mussels Prevention; an $8,600 grant was approved for a warming and equipment storage facility for the Panorama Adaptive Sports Society; and there was $13,250 total for the Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club for community range upgrades. For a full list, visit rdek.bc.ca/pdf/cbt/approvedprojects2015_may2015.pdf.