City of Powell River’s finance committee is recommending nearly $2.3 million in expenditures from the Powell River Community Forest reserve for up to 18 projects in the region.
At the May 26 finance committee meeting, city chief financial officer Mallory Denniston introduced the recommendations from the community forest board of directors for spring 2022 grants.
Denniston summarized the recommended projects. For the city, they include up to $450,000 for the mid-level connector pathway between Townsite and Powell River Recreation Complex. The sea walk restoration project would be allocated up to $400,000. A boiler replacement at the recreation complex is valued at $294,940, and arena glass replacement is valued at up to $185,000. The final city appropriation would be a Cranberry Lake fishing pier, up to $50,000.
For Powell River Minor Hockey Association, there is a recommended purchase of one community travel bus, up to $150,000.
Powell River Search and Rescue is earmarked for an expanded storage building and protective gear, valued at $134,214.
Powell River Film Society’s Patricia Theatre exterior restoration is valued at $125,149.
The community forest board recommended up to $100,000 for Assumption School preschool’s community playground.
Powell River Italian Club had requested a building renovation top-up of $97,939.
inclusion Powell River’s Kindred rebuild project is earmarked for $59,797 for a used building materials storage and sales facility, office and storage needs.
Lift Community Services’ Community Resource Centre community gardens remediation is slated for $54,140.
Powell River Salmon Society has requested a new intake and retrofits at the Lang Creek salmon centre for $52,582.
For the Timberlane barracks sponsor committee, the club building heating system upgrade is valued at $45,000.
For Wildwood, Townsite and Westview ratepayers organizations, $40,000 has been earmarked for matching BC Transit funding for installation of new bus shelters.
100-plus Women Who Care has requested matching funds for its 2022 grants of $30,000.
Texada Dragon Boat Club wants a dragon boat trailer valued at $12,000.
Rotary Club of Powell River has requested $17,000 for an allotment garden.
“These are the total projects the community forest board has worked really hard proposing to us,” said Denniston. “We thank them for their work and they have done a very good job vetting these projects.”
Denniston said regarding the Rotary club request, it was designed to be established on city property at the former JP Dallos Elementary School field. She said there had been an application for a licence of occupation.
“Currently, staff are completing the due diligence required, including comments and consultation with user groups,” said Denniston. “Based on consultation to date, it appears the proposal will pose significant challenges to others who also make use of the subject area.
“A report to council will likely not come forward to council until at least early summer. At this time, staff recommend deferring consideration of this grant until the fall intake.”
Denniston said as of December 31, 2021, uncommitted funds in the community forest reserve amounted to $1.3 million, and the 2021 dividend was nearly $2.7 million, meaning total funds available for 2022 are $3,978,451. If the recommended funds are taken out of the reserve for the spring 2022 grants, that would leave nearly $1.7 million in the reserve.
Finance committee chair George Doubt said the impact on the community is huge.
“There’s $2.2 million that goes to service everybody in and around the community and I think it’s a great opportunity to have,” said Doubt.
Powell River Community Forest’s recommended grants will be considered for final adoption at the June 2 city council meeting, which took place after press time.
