At its Oct. 21 meeting, the South Cariboo Joint Committee discussed the ongoing work for a potential post-secondary training centre in 100 Mile House.
Cariboo Regional District (CRD) chair Al Richmond, who co-chairs the committee with District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, noted there is some key support out there for the project.
The joint committee has already approached Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and had a good initial response, he said.
"We have been looking at having a [trades] training centre here, and the need to do some sort of economic development/capacity building exercise going with TRU and the school district and ourselves in order to try it to bring it here."
He added it was "unfortunate" the School District #27 (SD27) trustee slated to go over the plan at the last meeting could not attend, when TRU Williams Lake director Ray Sanders was present.
"Ray Sanders was ... quite excited by what was being suggested and encouraged us to work together with Jeannie North from Northern Development Initiative Trust [NDIT], and to move it forward as an initiative for this year to try to look at how we can and flesh something out.
"Then we'll go forward to utilize ... the shops at the 100 Mile House Junior Secondary."
Campsall interjected "... we are hoping."
So, Richmond clarified it is, indeed, just one of the facility options the committee is looking at.
"The feeling was that, between the two, [NDIT] and TRU, we could cost-share this and get it going."
Councillor Ralph Fossum asked what was needed to keep the momentum going.
Richmond replied some SD 27 trustee engagement was needed before anything could be presented to the SD27 board.
"There have been tours of the [junior secondary] facility by the school district, by CRD staff, by District staff, by TRU in the past. So, they were familiar with the concept and know what were talking about.
"So, TRU was very excited and NDIT was very encouraging to try and move forward some kind of initiative, to get something down [in writing] that could be considered by NDIT and by TRU for presentation as a business case."
Noting this project has been going on for some time, Coun. Dave Mingo asked for confirmation that SD27 board support would be obtained before "a whole bunch" money has been spent on it.
Richmond replied that no funds will be allocated until all these organizations are on board with the initiative.
Campsall added that school board support is still needed before the District and CRD staff can do much more work on the initiative.
"We know the school district is on board with it; now, we have got to get the trustees on board."