Turf replacement
qathet Regional District’s board of directors will consider writing a letter of support for replacement of the artificial turf at Brooks Secondary School.
At the February 11 committee of the whole meeting, directors received a letter from School District 47 superintendent of schools Dr. Jay Yule. He stated the school district is putting together a grant application in the hopes of receiving some financial support for potential replacement of the artificial turf at the school and would appreciate a letter of support from the regional district.
“There is no obligation from your organization other than supporting the project,” stated Yule.
The committee voted to send the matter to the regional board for a letter of support.
Bleacher removal
Committee of the whole is recommending the regional board authorize staff to dismantle and remove spectator bleachers from Gillies Bay and Van Anda ball fields. At the meeting, Electoral Area D director and committee chair Sandy McCormick said she supported the recommendation because the bleachers are in very poor shape and badly in need of repair. She said there hasn’t been a ball game played at either field in six or seven years. She added that the initiative to dismantle the bleachers is supported by the Texada Island Recreation Commission.
Electoral Area A director Patrick Brabazon asked about the condition of the bleachers in Craig Regional Park.
Manager of operational services Patrick Devereaux said the ones in Craig Park are in better condition than the ones on Texada, but they are deteriorating as well. He said local people are being consulted around Craig Park and when that consultation is complete, the board will see a similar proposal, asking for the removal of the Craig Park bleachers when they reach end of life.
Devereaux said grass would be planted in place of the removed bleachers.
Flood strategy
The committee is recommending the regional board endorses applying to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) emergency preparedness fund for funding to complete a regional coastal flood adaptation strategy in 2021. The recommendation also suggests the board endorse carrying out the strategy with City of Powell River and Tla’amin Nation, and that the regional district receive and manage the grant funding, as well as provide overall grant management for this project.
According to a staff report, UBCM funding is 100 per cent and communities can apply for up to $150,000. If successful, the report stated that the bulk of this funding would be used to contract specialized expertise required to deliver a coastal flood adaptation strategy.
The project would result in recommendations to guide each jurisdiction's efforts in adapting to rising sea levels and increasing storm surge associated with climate change and mitigating coastal flooding and erosion impacts to private property and public infrastructure, the report stated.
