Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors recently voted unanimously to approve a $22,000 grant to the City of Cranbrook for a recreation study, funded through the Electoral Area C Economic Development Service.

“The City of Cranbrook is the hub of southeastern B.C. with a population of 20,499, which is 31% of the population within the RDEK boundary according to the 2021 census. Electoral Area C has a population of 6,536 located in the area surrounding Cranbrook. Recreation brings a sense of community and a healthy lifestyle to residents and it also attracts tourism to the area,” noted a report to the board by Holly Ronnquist, RDEK chief financial officer.

“Recreation has many economic benefits; it creates jobs, attracts investment, and diversifies the local economy. The City of Cranbrook is carrying out a recreation study over a period of approximately nine months starting in late 2023.

“The total cost of the study is estimated at $70,000 and will provide a detailed review that assesses the effectiveness, efficiency and value-for-money of Recreation and Culture services in Cranbrook,” Ronnquist explained.

The review will focus on:

• Service delivery, modernization opportunities, administrative processes and revenue streams;
• Relationships with community groups, sports organizations and service clubs; and
• Culture and Recreation opportunities inside Cranbrook and also the surrounding area, where there is some shared opportunities possible with the RDEK (such as Idlewild and the emerging trail network recreation opportunities linking the trails inside the city with trails in the rural areas surrounding the city).

“Recognizing that many Electoral Area C residents own businesses, work, and recreate within Cranbrook, and that the economic success of Cranbrook directly benefits Electoral Area C residents, Director Rob Gay would like to contribute $22,000 to the City of Cranbrook through a grant from the Electoral Area C Economic Development Service.”

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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