Powell River Community Forest (PRCF) issued its biggest cheque ever for $3,825,934, funding 12 organizations in the city and throughout qathet region.
At the July 13 city council meeting, acting mayor Cindy Elliott said the community forest had been in existence since 2006 and the proceeds go to grants in the community.
“Over the years they have been operating, we’ve had significant benefits through grants for our community,” said Elliott. “I want to thank the board of directors of the community forest.”
Elliott then invited community forest president Greg Hemphill to speak. Hemphill thanked council for approving the 12 recommendations at the June 22 city council meeting.
“It’s lots of money and pretty impressive,” said Hemphill. “Congratulations to all the grant recipients. I look forward to seeing their completed projects.”
Hemphill said he wanted to tell applicants that the community forest board appreciates their patience. He said the deadline for submissions was April 1, so the process was a way down the path with the funds being awarded.
“As is normal, we received application amounts that exceed the money available in the fund,” said Hemphill. “There is a mix of city projects and community group projects. Putting a package together sometimes takes a bit of time.”
Hemphill said for applicants that didn’t get selected in the spring take-up, the community forest is only two months away from the fall intake. The deadline, he said, is September 5.
Hemphill said the money comes from the community forest’s operations and sale of timber.
“In this case, for the year 2022 at our annual general meeting in April of this year, our board declared our dividend of $3,825,934, which is a record high,” said Hemphill. “This is deposited into the community forest reserve fund and available for grants to support community projects.”
Hemphill said in 2022, at the beginning of the year, the community forest was still dealing with COVID-19. He said the forest also had a “pretty major” hemlock looper infestation, which delayed operations until later in the year.
A limited supply of timber in the market and high demand resulted in record prices in the fourth quarter – double the average market value, according to Hemphill.
“We logged considerably less than our annual cut but we made more money,” said Hemphill.
Grant recipients
He said the biggest grant this year is going to City of Powell River, valued at $2.8 million, for Powell River Recreation Complex pool roof replacement.
“We’ve done a lot of grants over time involving the recreation complex,” said Hemphill. “It’s our largest capital asset, and at its age, it needs investment. We are pleased to do that.”
Other grants include: Townsite Actors Guild, $3,877.77 for a show computer and sound/lighting software; qathet Parks and Wilderness Society, an $18,000 top-up grant to complete outhouse replacements on the Sunshine Coast Trail; Powell River Salmon Society, $105,063.93 for the Duck Lake futures project; Powell River Public Library, $12,750 for reflective window film; Powell River Villa and Powell River Youth Soccer, $160,000 for a team travel bus; Club Bon Accueil, $6,847.59 in playground upgrades; Townsite Heritage Society, $47,003.97 for Henderson House renovations; inclusion Powell River, $138,619.10 for ARC Community Event Centre’s kitchen upgrades; Texada Dragon Boat Club, $23,734.17 for a new dragon boat; Okeover Harbour Authority, $60,000 for construction of a new harbour authority office; and Myrtle Point Golf Club, $125,500 for driving range net replacement and tee deck resurfacing.
Speaking about the recreation complex pool roof replacement, city councillor Jim Palm said this is the largest contribution the city had received from the community forest. Palm said for years, the interior of the roof has been falling into the pool. The city had applied for grants for a number of years for pool roof projects and had not been successful, he added.
“The community forest has stepped forward again,” said Palm. “These funds go toward aged and damaged areas, repair and replacement of interior and exterior building envelope systems, roofing membranes, exterior insulation panels and other elements.
“I am just so fortunate to have been able to sit at the council table for 15 years and see, time and again, our community forest bringing these funds forward, rebuilding our city,” said Palm.
Members of the various organizations receiving funds were then invited to go to the lectern in council chambers to thank the community forest and outline the impacts the grants will have on their organizations.
