City of Powell River Council has approved more than $500,000 in Powell River Community Forest grants in the fall 2023 issue.
At the October 19 city council meeting, council approved seven grants as recommended by the community forest.
City chief financial officer Mallory Denniston highlighted the grants, which include a $360,000 allocation to qathet Regional Cycling Association (qRCA) for the Mount Mahony bike trail network. A total of $60,000 was pledged to qathet Art Council for art centre improvements.
Townsite Ratepayers Society will receive $11,202 for kiosk wraps. The Evergreen family and resident council will be the recipients of $35,000 for purchase of a new bus for residents of Evergreen Extended Care and Willingdon Creek Village. The main funding will be from Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary.
Friends of Powell River will be receiving $5,000 for clothing and food support for students in need. The Anglican Church of St. David and St. Paul has been allocated $20,625 for Sycamore Commons gardens restoration. Finally, Powell River Curling Club will receive $32,905 for a sustainable community project.
Community forest funds allocated to these projects totals $524,732.81. Council voted unanimously in favour of the grants from the Powell River Community Forest reserve fund.
Townsite Ratepayers Society representative Stephen Miller said it is a wonderful partnership that encompasses the grant. He said the society’s vision is to ensure Townsite neighbourhoods are part of the best community possible.
Miller said the community forest invests in the community, which helps the society achieve its vision. He added that the city is coastal by nature and he believes the society’s project will celebrate coastal by nature.
“People will enjoy it for many years to come,” said Miller. “A big thank-you to the community forest and the City of Powell River.”
qRCA representative Brendan Behan, whose organization received the largest grant from the community forest, said his association has a membership of more than 500 and is becoming one of the largest nonprofit groups in the community.
He said the cycling association started the Mount Mahony project three years ago. A professional consultant was hired and there is a design in place, he added.
Mount Mahony is starting to be a significant attraction. Behan said there were roughly 200 riders during a recent weekend at the mountain. The vision is for a $4 to $5 million project, according to Behan.
Shaun Garvey, Powell River Curling Club president, said he wanted to express gratitude to city council and the community forest for the grant money so generously provided.
Garvey said the money will be going toward a sustainable building project which is focused on opening up the interior of the building. He outlined significant investments at the club, and how donations have leveraged other grants to make improvements to the club’s building.
The curling club has undergone several projects, including replacing a failing plant.
Garvey said the curling club is trying to open the facility to the community as a whole, trying to create a social hub, and the funds will be helpful. He expressed gratitude to the community forest and the city.
Councillor Jim Palm said that over 15 years, and with $25 million in contributions, Powell River Community Forest has provided significant benefit to the community.
“Thanks to the community forest,” added Palm, “and thanks to the organizations for all the fine work they are doing.”
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