Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Some members of Oliver’s Downtown Advisory Committee believe it’s “crucial” to start attracting young families to the community.

That was the sentiment during today’s Zoom meeting.

Committee member Aimee Grice led the discussion, saying the downtown core is obviously struggling, adding the current population is not supporting downtown businesses.

That’s why it’s important to attract young families to the community, she said, noting there is an exodus of young families leaving the city for rural life.

As a result, the committee has to let these families know what is available to them in Oliver, Grice said.

“I feel we need a marketing campaign to showcase Oliver and why it’s a great place to live.”

She pointed out Oliver’s walkability and affordability features, its schools, skatepark, arts community and restaurants.

Grice said they should survey families who have moved here to find out what attracted them. She also suggested looking at what other communities are doing to attract young professionals.

Grice recommended making a new video highlighting the downtown core experience.

“Time is of the essence,” she said, noting that other communities have already begun marketing to lure young families to relocate.

Bertie Barens from the Oliver and District Arts Council said this all ties into what they are doing to raise the profile of local artists. She suggested providing videos of these artists at work.

Denise Blashko from the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce said she has seen first-hand the exodus of families from Oliver. At the same time, real estate is very busy with pre-retired people moving here, she pointed out.

Blashko said they need to see more working-age people pick up jobs in the area where business is struggling. She noted that relocation has to be a priority for schools to stay open and for the community to stay vibrant.

Blashko suggested a contest where families tell their stories about why they made the move to a rural setting.

Alexis Roumanis from Oliver Tourism said they can target people who work from home or those with an online business. In the end, this would help sustain Oliver through the winter months, he stated.

In other committee news, Director of Development Services Randy Houle said the town’s design standards guidelines are not moving forward at this point because council believes the proposed guidelines are a “little too strict” in relation to material type and colours.

Houle said a workshop will be held to discuss refinements before bringing it back to the committee.

Blashko gave an update on the Grow Oliver program, expressing the importance of buying local and keeping dollars circulating in the community.

She noted they are encouraging local consumers to support the gift card program involving 14 local businesses.

Blashko said some people are still not familiar with Grow Oliver and she’s hoping that will change this year.

She said the Chamber has applied for a business recovery position to assist with Grow Oliver initiatives and help struggling businesses with customer service and cash flow ideas.

Houle said the town received an email from local resident Mike Dunbrook who suggested that Oliver purchase a four-sided clock for Triangle Park.

Grice said this could be tied into the town’s centennial anniversary

“I think it’s really a lovely idea.”

Blashko said this is something the business community may want to sponsor.

The committee passed a motion recommending council to direct staff to investigate the cost of a community clock on the northwest corner of Main Street and Fairview Road.

During discussion on the Station Street “plaza” proposal, Houle informed the committee that the town’s funding application was not successful.

However, Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Cowan said they are getting ready to tender the Station Street upgrade project between Bank and Veterans Avenue, which will commence this year.

As for the plaza, that project will be set aside for now as they continue to look for funding and developer opportunities, Cowan said.

Coun. Larry Schwartzenberger said the town is dedicating more than $1.5 million to fix Station Street, noting they still have their sights on the community plaza project.

Carol Sheridan, manager of Oliver Parks and Recreation, said she would like to see that space (former Centennial RV Park) utilized for people to sit under the trees and enjoy local artwork and the wares of a vendor or two.

Sheridan also suggested a mural project to revitalize the downtown core.

Cowan said the vendor idea might not work this year due to the construction activity, but it’s something to consider for the future.