The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) recently identified which
organizations will receive its 2011 Grants for Assistance.
Working together with the South Cariboo Joint Committee, 35 local groups have been approved to receive a financial boost.
CRD chair Al Richmond says
the area directors have a lot of say about where funding is applied in their communities.
“We were all in agreement as to which ones we could support.”
Some of these include the Watch Lake/North Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department (WLNGLVFD) which is slated to receive $5,000 to help purchase a newer water tender.
Although it had requested the full $35,000 needed for a truck, WLNGLVFD president Roy Allan says the group appreciates the grant very much.
He explains that it may be another year before the tender can be obtained, but the fire department is continually looking for funding.
“Our trucks are very old, and actually quite small by today’s standards. We need to have something considerably bigger than what we’ve got.”
The department’s newer pumpers have the capacity to pump 1,500 gallons per minute, yet that volume is about all their current water tenders can carry, he notes. “We’re looking at something that can carry about 5,000 gallons.”
The Lone Butte Historical Society (LBHS) will get $3,000 to help cover costs of maintaining the community’s heritage site.
Although they had requested $10,000, LBHS president Al Jones says they are well on their way to that total through the CRD grant and community donations.
“We had graffiti
on the water tower last year and it hasn’t been painted for about 10 years… so that’s part of the project.”
The society also hopes to raise enough to sand-blast the water tower, paint the washroom building, repair the chain link fence and replace the picnic tables, he adds.
The 100 Mile & District Historical Society will receive $4,000 to help cover costs for a new roof on the museum house at the 108 Heritage Site.
The 100 Mile & District Policing Committee will get $1,000 for new mobile radios, while South Cariboo Citizens on Patrol has been granted another $1,000 for radio equipment costs and reflective vests.
South Cariboo Rural Crime Watch is being supported with $900 to pay for a robbery prevention seminar and some cautionary road signs.
The Greeny Lake Volunteer Fire Department will also benefit from a $2,500 donation to help finish fire hall, while the Lone Butte Fish and Wildlife Association is receiving $1,300 to enlarge an existing berm at its shooting range.
Richmond says the CRD’s goal is to help local groups with capital costs, not operating costs, except when it is a one-time expenditure, or has a wide-spread benefit such as major community events.
“We try not to get into operations [or else] it turns into a long-term issue.”