By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos Town Council considered allocation of more than $1 million in residual provincial funding that must be spent within the next 18 months on eight community projects.
As Gina MacKay, Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Osoyoos notes, this is not “new” funding but rather funds that have been carried over from 2015 through to 2021. The total amounts to $1,033,450 and must be expended by Mar. 31, 2024.
“This is money that’s already been sitting there that we just haven’t spent, it’s not new money that we’re spending. This is money that was allocated from the Resort Municipality Initiative funding that has been sitting there, some of it from 2015 and now they’ve [the Province] just asked that we get more specific about how we’re going to spend it.”
The funding is tagged specifically to support small, tourism-based municipalities to build and diversify their tourism infrastructure, deliver exceptional visitor experiences and incorporate sustainable tourism practices and products, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport which manages the program.
MacKay noted that the ministry has been “flexible in terms of funds allocated to specific projects and their expenditures.”
She also noted that the Province is aware that Osoyoos has had some challenging years due to extraordinary circumstances including the wildfire seasons 2017, 2018 and 2021, COVID impacts, and changes in administration.
“We have been advised that in order to retain these funds they must be allocated to specific projects. With that in mind, administration has prepared the following project overviews for Council’s consideration. With Council’s support and direction administration would then move forward with project details and implementation,” she said.
This will see some of the smaller projects started almost immediately with MacKay and Gerald Davis, the Town’s Director of Community Services both taking on some of the smaller projects.
Jared Brounstein, the Town’s Director, Operational Services will lead the larger projects.
Waterfront Enhancement
Among the eight projects receiving a share of the funding the Waterfront Enhancement project captured the lion’s share with a total of $760,000 going towards improvements at Gyro Park.
The future direction for development of Gyro was established following a two and a half day workshop in the fall of 2012.
A key step in implementing the Gyro Park concept plan is the removal of the Quonset hut (former curling club and museum).
Once removed, this area could become a multi-purpose play space and additional picnicking area for visitors to the park MacKay noted adding this will involve further public consultation.
A total of $560,000 is allocated to the removal of the structure and rehabilitation while another $200,000 is being allocated to upgrade washroom facilities at Goodman Park and Lions Park.
Downtown Revitalization
With the aim of creating a downtown gathering space the 85th Street Plaza was created following community workshops and feedback sessions. The preliminary concept designs for the pedestrian plaza have now been completed, although a final plan has not been approved, noted MacKay.
“It is well known that a shade structure will need to be installed at this location,” noted MacKay. The suggestion was to allocate $127,514 to improvements at the plaza largely revolving around the purchase and installation of a shade structure.
Council discussion circled around the issue of the shade structure as it appeared the cart might be in front of the horse.
Specifically, council questioned whether it made sense to purchase the shade item when a final plan has not yet been finalised for the plaza. The suggestion was to reword the proposal to simply specify “improvements at the plaza”, leaving out the shade structure.
Rod Risling, the Town’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) expressed concern that the province might have issues with such a “wishy washy” allocation.
In the end agreement was reached to leave the specificity out of the allocation with the idea it could be changed if the Province objected.
Trail Development & Connectivity
A total of $32,936 was allocated to the purchase and installation of signs at the head of the canal trail and along the trail, indicating the type of surface, kilometre increments, the difficulty and approximate time to walk, run or bike. At the request from the accessibility and age friendly committee, the signs will incorporate braille.
Visitor activity enhancement
The decision was made to allocate $26,000 to Music in the Park for the 2023 season; $5,000 to the Community Celebration Spring BBQ at Gyro Park 2023 (food, bouncy castle, entertainment and party favors); $3,000 to the Festival of Trees to support the program by purchasing advertising, decorations, and prizes; and $6,000 to the Community Winter Market for advertising, equipment and purchase (tables, sandwich boards).
Public Art/Heritage
An allotment of $25,000 will go towards the design and installation of heritage murals at the new museum location on the east wall facing 87th Avenue. This will be carried out in cooperation with the Artists on Main and local business owners.
Environmental Sustainability
Veterans Park original design include interpretive signage for native plant and flower identification, although in the original design for the park were never implemented and as such $10,000 will be allocated to purchase and install signage at the park which will include braille.
The signage will provide the opportunity to learn about the native species of the community and their role in the town’s desert ecosystem.
Wayfinding/Information Signage
Gyro Park will see the design and installation of new signs (with braille) through an allocation of $28,000 for design work, production and installation.
Community Beautification
Council allocated $10,000 for the purchase and installation of flowers, plants, lighting and signage at the Scent Garden at Pioneer Walkway. The garden will be wheelchair accessible and will provide an opportunity for people to touch, feel and smell the flowers and plants.
