Residents celebrate updates to Gyro Park in 2016. That project was funded through the Resort Municipality Initiative. (Richard McGuire file photo)
There was no hesitation from town council in renewing an agreement with the province to provide Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding to the town.
When council discussed the issue at last Tuesday’s meeting, council members praised the program that provides funding to 14 resort municipalities in B.C. from hotel taxes.
In 2017, Osoyoos received $378,994 that helped fund events and amenities related to tourism.
Coun. C.J. Rhodes noted that the RMI program was created by the former B.C. Liberal government, but the NDP government has continued it, at least for this year. He praised both governments.
“The benefits to our community are enormous,” said Rhodes. “This is one of the greatest things that’s happened to our community in a long, long time.”
Coun. Mike Campol said he echoed Rhodes’ comments, but he expressed frustration that the funding isn’t predictable, meaning that it’s hard to plan multi-year projects not knowing if the funding will continue.
The new agreement runs from March 22, 2018 to March 31, 2019.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
