Another $737,026.81 from Powell River Community Forest (PRCF) will be distributed to 15 community groups and organizations.
At the City of Powell River Council meeting on November 21, the fall 2019 community forest grants were approved by council, underwriting a number of projects throughout the Powell River region.
Mayor Dave Formosa said he wanted to thank the community forest board of directors plus the founders of the community forest.
“I offer a big shout-out to Greg Hemphill, the community forest president, who has been doing a diligent job, and Chris Laing, the forester,” said Formosa. “It is probably the best and most profitable community forest in British Columbia.”
Hemphill said the community forest board was at the council meeting hoping for formal approval of its recommendations for fall 2019 grants from the Community Forest Reserve Fund.
“Council always has nice things to say about Powell River Community Forest’s efforts,” said Hemphill. “So up front, I wanted to make sure you know how much we appreciate your ongoing support for how we conduct our community’s forestry business and your support when we come forward with recommendations for how we should invest our profits back into the community.”
Hemphill said the community forest grant application review process and interaction with community groups is a lot of work for the board, but the grants given out and completed projects are a satisfying part of the board’s involvement with PRCF.
“In the spring we deposited a record 2018 dividend of $2,518,576 into the community forest reserve fund,” said Hemphill. “At that time council approved our recommendations for 14 spring 2019 grants totalling roughly $1.8 million. With substantial monies left in the fund we planned for this second fall review of applications.”
Hemphill said total monies committed with these fall grants is $737,026.81.
“For those who are keeping track of numbers since the inception of PRCF, total deposits to the community forest reserve fund is $13,190,890,” he added. “With these 15 grants, it brings the total number of grants issued to 150 grants. Those are pretty big numbers there and pretty impressive.”
PRCF does receive grant requests for amounts which exceed monies available in the fund, so it makes a much more competitive framework for applicants and some difficult choices for the board.
“While we celebrate these fall 2019 grants, there were good projects which were not selected,” said Hemphill. “Those applications remain on file under consideration for our next grant review process in the spring 2020. New applications and revisions to existing applications can be submitted at any time and we encourage groups to contact us directly with any questions.”
More information on the process to apply, evaluation criteria and contacts can be found at prcommunityforest.ca.
The following grants were approved:
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City of Powell River – Powell River Recreation Complex audio system upgrade, up to $41,000
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City of Powell River – solar array city hall roof as per sustainability plan, up to $144,420
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Lang Bay Community Hall – electrical upgrades, including backup generator power, $21,295
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Paradise Exhibition Society – site preparation for caretakers’ residence, $32,709.63
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Powell River and District United Way Orca Bus – second top-up grant to cover interior costs, $10,000
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Powell River Italian Club – contribution to community hall renovations, $177,036.40
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Powell River Kings Hockey Club Society – working with city staff to upgrade their two arena concession areas, $29,100
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Powell River Minor Hockey Association – working with city staff to renovate coaches, first aid and Powell River Regals’ rooms, $35,000
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Powell River Outrigger Canoe Society – contribution to purchase two training boats, paddles, PFDs and trailer, $70,800
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Powell River Sport and Fitness Society – contribution to equipping a warm-up/conditioning area at the tennis centre, $16,000
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qathet Regional District – construction of longhouse-style pavilion at Shelter Point on Texada Island, $112,119
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Townsite Jazz Festival – sound absorption blankets, $2,762.49
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Willingdon Creek Village – contribution to multipurpose room upgrades, $24,284.29 matching New Horizons grant
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Willingdon Creek Village – pave main garden pathway to improve accessibility, $18,500
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Powell River Academy of Music – contribution to fire retardant drapery for great hall Kathaumixw performances, $2,000
