Town of Osoyoos administration is going to fire off a proposal to try and access funding from a new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) that would see a new pier built down at Gyro Park.
The town’s old pier was “crushed to pieces” following a severe ice storm three years ago, said Mayor Stu Wells during Monday’s regular meeting of council.
This new funding initiative is being offered to municipalities looking to upgrade or rehabilitate current infrastructure, but is not designed for new projects, said chief administrative officer Barry Romanko.
Grants can be used to expand existing infrastructure that doesn’t result in a large increase in size or scope of the asset, with bike or walking trail expansions identified as acceptable projects, said Romanko.
This grant can’t be used to develop new facilities and is a 50 per cent matching grant to a maximum of $250,000, with the deadline to access funding for the first group of programs set for August 2 and a second deadline set for early November, he said.
Other options being considered by council included raising the asphalt in the U-shaped parking lot at Gyro Park and replacing it with grass and trees, purchasing a new humidifier for the Sun Bowl Arena or upgrading the Osoyoos Art Gallery building on Main Street.
If there are any problems with the application to access funds to build a new pier at Gyro Park, council voted to have art gallery upgrades as the second option.
The CIIF is a new two-year national program that will invest $150 million to rehabilitate and improve existing community infrastructure across Canada. It will help to modernize infrastructure and provide broad-based economic benefits to communities.
Total federal funding for a project will not exceed 50 per cent of total eligible project costs.
All projects being considered by the federal government for funding must be fully completed by March of 2014, said Romanko.
Coun. C.J. Rhodes said having the pier at Gyro Park replaced would be wonderful as it was a very busy spot during the summer tourist season.
“I think it fits the criteria and profile” detailed by the government and “this is a great opportunity to replace that pier,” he said.
Coun. Mike Plante said he remembers vacationing in Osoyoos when he was a kid and spending countless hours playing and swimming off the pier.
“I think it would be a great addition to our town to get it back,” he said.
If the town isn’t selected to receive money during the first round of funding in August, he remains hopeful good news will be forthcoming when the second round of funding announcements is made in early November, said Romanko.