The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board of Directors approved funding for three new projects in Burns Lake.
$15,000 was approved for the Ride Burns Mountain Biking Association for the Summer Maintenance Work Crew project. With this funding the 100Km network of trails will be assessed and repairs completed. The Biking trails at Boer Mountain began in 2005 with a vision and a grant of $3,360 from NKDF for a feasibility study.
Since then, NKDF has contributed $449,281 for an additional 10 projects that have developed the trail system into a world class mountain biking destination. Burns Lake has the distinction of being awarded Canada’s first International Mountain Biking Association Ride Center designation. Mountain Bike BC heralds The Boer Mountain trail network is one of the most progressive and sustainable trail networks found anywhere.
$5,000 was granted to the Omineca Ski Club for the purchase of additional rental ski equipment. The Omineca Ski club provides rental skis at a reasonable rate to encourage people to be active through the winter.
The Burns Lake Public Library Association was granted $2,000 for the Saving Lives at the Library project. Through this project the library will purchase and install an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and train the staff in its proper use.
Quotes
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
"I'm pleased to see the Province's funding of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund being put towards community improvements that create connections and strengthen communities. Strong communities can adapt to change and respond to challenges, which is why building resiliency is one of the objectives of the StrongerBC Economic Plan.”
NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford
“We are excited to support the Mountain Biking Trails and Ski Equipment projects that enhance recreation for residents and increase tourism opportunities. While we hope the AED is never needed, public access to this device provides an increased sense of safety for the whole community.”
The next application deadline is March 31, 2023. For more information, please visit http://www.nkdf.org/ For requests under $5,000 applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
For more information on past projects funded throughout the NKDF investment area please visit http://www.nkdf.org/projects or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NKDFS
The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society was jointly established in 1997 with a combined contribution of $15 million by the government of British Columbia and the former Alcan Inc., now Rio Tinto. The Fund’s investment area includes lands impacted by the original Kemano project and focuses on the communities in the Ootsa, Lakes, Nechako and Haisla regions of the north.
The Society encourages applications from local governments, local First Nations governments and legally incorporated non-profit organizations. NKDF invests in projects that create sustainable employment, diversify the economy, and improve the basic infrastructure needed for community stability, quality of life and growth.
To the Board Members of the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society, On behalf of the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association (BLMBA) it is an honour to have this opportunity to try to articulate adequately what...