Osoyoos Town Hall. (File photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
Several local community events and initiatives are getting a funding boost.
At their meeting at the end of February, Osoyoos Town council voted to give funding to the Osoyoos Airport Development Society for a runway extension and taxiway improvement project.
The society obtained $90,000 of grant funding for the $120,000 total and is raising the remaining $30,000.
Council decided to contribute $15,000 from reserve funding in 2019, and $15,625 in 2020 if grant funding is obtained again, on the condition that council approves all development plans.
Council also addressed requests from community members seeking funding for events, presented at a public meeting on Jan. 30.
Organizers of the annual Cactus Jalopies event asked for a contribution of $11,000. Instead, council voted to provide $6,500 from its Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding, which would cover the cost of the extreme motorcycle event.
• Read more: Council hears ideas for 2019 budget
The Osoyoos Lake Paddle Club’s request for $5,000 to hire a race director for its second annual Dragon Boat Festival was approved.
“I feel that this could be another major event in our town and it just needs a solid person to bring the components together,” Coun. Jim King said.
The Osoyoos Elks Lodge requested that $20,000 be provided for an upcoming Roots and Blues Festival.
Citing a lack of information and formal budget, council voted to deny the funding request but waive rental fees for the Sonora Centre.
Council also denied $20,000 in funding for the Osoyoos Lawn Bowling Club to install lights at the bowling green.
Director of Financial Services Jim Zakall suggested the group obtain actual costing for the project and apply for grants before Town funds are considered.
