By Times Chronicle Staff
The Oliver & District Heritage Society is supporting the creation of a video that highlights the historical significance of Oliver’s irrigation “ditch.”
Executive Director Darren Halsted made a presentation to town council on Sept. 26 requesting financial support from the municipality.
Halsted said the ditch was constructed at the behest of Premier John Oliver in the early 1920s with the help of returning First World War veterans. In return, they were offered land for settlement.
The resulting system of channels, flumes, pipes and syphons conveyed water without the use of pumps to irrigate a distance exceeding 40 kilometres.
Halstead said the Society wants to memorialize this vital piece of history. To that end, the group has retained a researcher to interview knowledge keepers from the community including local First Nations.
The material from the six months of research is to be used to commission a full-length video telling the complete story of the ditch.
Halsted said the video would incorporate a collage of overhead drone footage.
The total cost of the ditch project is estimated at $35,000. The Society is asking the Town to contribute approximately half of the cost.
