Community Works Funding in the South Cariboo will provide up to $12,000 for the Watch Lake & District Women’s Institute (WI) for heating upgrades to the Watch Lake Community Hall.
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) recently approved the funding, which it administers for energy efficient projects under the federal-provincial Gas Tax Agreement.
WI vice-president Ruth Kachur says it is "really great," as it will replace an old, inefficient heater that also makes so much noise "you can't hear yourself think."
Adds Kachur: "That was one of the things we were hoping to get was a better heating system, for sure."
The money will be used to install a heating system upgrade, and possibly other related, minor services at the hall.
The upgrade will include installation of a radiant tube heating system in the non-log half of the community hall and replacement of three ill-fitting plywood openings with three All-Weather awning windows.
WI member Lynda Krupp applied for the grant and says the group greatly appreciates the CRD's grant approval.
"We are really thrilled and very, very grateful that this money was available to do this for our community.
"Apparently, it was installed [June 25-26] - they did it that quick, and it was Burgess Plumbing, Heating and Electrical that did it for us."
She adds the new and efficient radiant system heats from the ceiling down.
This warms the floors, walls and furniture, Krupp notes, rather than just heating air that then rushes out any opened door like the old fan-blown propane heat did.
While the approval didn't come through on another application for the log portion of the hall, Krupp says the WI does understand many other halls and facilities also need upgrades.