The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Nov. 21 District of Sparwood council meeting.

Delegation

Elk Valley Mobile Home Park

Lori Koop of Elk Valley Mobile Home Park Ltd., appeared before council requesting to connect the park to municipal water and provided council with an overview of the park’s water issues and cause of the problem. Council encouraged Ms. Koop to continue to work with staff. Staff will report back to council at a future meeting outlining options and the process.

50th anniversary celebrations

Councillor Jenna Jensen presented the final report from the committee for the 50th Anniversary celebrations to council. Various events were held throughout 2016 to commemorate this important occasion, including 50¢ swims and skates, heritage displays, history exhibit at Sparwood Public Library, various events during Arts and Culture Week, anniversary celebration at the Titan on May 12 (pictured above/courtesy District of Sparwood), sock hop, anniversary dinner during Coal Miner Days and a video.
 The video is available here.

Chamber of Commerce

Norma McDougall and Bev MacNaughton of the Sparwood & District Chamber of Commerce, presented the 50th Anniversary video and an update on the Visitor Centre to Council.  In 2016 the Visitor Centre received over 53,000 visitors inside the building and at least another 20,000 stopping at the Titan.

Projects undertaken by the chamber in 2016 included: Hosted the Mining Week Luncheon in May; Provided mine tours during Mining Week and July and August;
 Hosted Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Bar-B-Que on May 12;
 Undertook the Anniversary Video Project, on behalf of Sparwood’s 50th Anniversary Committee; Installed tourism boards at Titan Park;
 Hosted a Golf Tournament during Coal Miner Days;
 Hosted the Elk Valley Economic Initiative Conference;
 Installed I-Touch (touch screen computer) kiosks at the Chamber and the Leisure Centre: Held a Business Awards event in October;
 Annual “Lite Up a Child’s Life” campaign; Coordinated the seniors’ light tour and party; Coordinated the Community Christmas party.

Business

Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Land Use Permit

Council authorized an extension to the Land Use Permit between the District of Sparwood and CPR to October 31, 2018.  The permit provides the district with legal access to the crossing constructed past Finning.  The crossing and construction of the physical access are in place; however, the legal access right-of-way is yet to be completed.

Staying Alive First Aid Academy

Council denied the October 17 request from Staying Alive First Aid Academy for financial assistance in accordance with Section 25 of the Community Charter and District’s policy on Financial Assistance to Organizations / Clubs / Groups / Individuals.  Council believed Staying Alive First Aid Academy’s proposal to provide a part-time Primary Care Paramedics program in Sparwood was beneficial and resolved to send a letter to the Interior Health Authority (IH) requesting that IHA support local students who wish to participate in the program in Sparwood.

Wildsight Elk Valley

Council approved a letter of support be provided to Wildsight Elk Valley for their application to Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IFABC) for funding to establish ‘The Keeping Food Real’ project.  Wildsight’s goal is to bring local food educational opportunities to the Elk Valley to address growing food in cold climates while considering the importance of being a ‘Wildsafe Bear Aware’ community

Lease of 156 Spruce Avenue

Council authorized notice to be posted of council’s intention to consider the disposition of the property located at 156 Spruce Avenue (former Engineering Building) by way of lease to Ms. Danielle Charlebois for the period of February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2022.  The proposed lease will be for the purposes of operating a daycare and will be for the sum of $24,000 in the first year increasing by two per cent annually for the term of the agreement totalling $124,897.08.

Bylaws

Business Licence Bylaws

Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1195, 2016 and Business Licence Bylaw No. 849, 2001, Amendment Bylaw 1196, 2016 were adopted.

Other News

Annual Food Drive

Sunday, December 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Its that time of year again! Sparwood’s emergency reponders and Air Cadets will be going door-to-door collecting donations of food, new unwrapped toys, and cash to make sure our Food Bank and Toys for Tots programs are very well stocked for the holiday season.  If you are not at home donations can be dropped off at Fire Hall #1, 479 Pine Avenue or just leave them on your front doorstep in a bag or box for pickup.

Seniors Light Tour

Join the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce for a wonderful evening of lights and laughter on a tour of Sparwood. Board the bus at Lilac Terrace at 6:30 p.m. or you can be picked up at the Seniors Villas or Sasko Manor. After the tour there will be entertainment, refreshments and door prizes at Lilac Terrace.  Call the chamber at 250-425-2423 to arrange for pick up and drop off at the end of the evening.

District of Sparwood

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