Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Grants $50,385 for New Projects in Burns Lake, Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof
JUN 8, 2023
The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board of Directors approved $50,385 in grant funding for six new projects.
Francois Tchesinkut Recreation Commission was granted $25,000 toward renovations of the Francois Lake Hall. A heavily utilized community hall that has been in operation for almost a century, the hall is used year-round for live music events, charity events such as the Terry Fox Run, weddings, reunions and banquets. The project includes re-roofing the hall and adding canopy covering to the wheelchair access ramps.
Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society received $6,844. The Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society, formed in 1959, started out with six self-care units. Since then, the complex has been expanded to 36 units and a central activity area. The units are full with a current wait list of 44 people. The goal of the Society is to provide affordable housing and quality of life for Seniors. This grant will be used to replace the shingles on one of the triplex units.
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce was granted $5,000 to run a Live Local Campaign. This campaign will run throughout the summer and bring Chamber businesses together with local community members. The project will include videos showcasing local businesses and giveaways. Watch for your chance to enter to win starting in July.
Rip’n The North Bike Club received $4,500 for the Rip'n Refresh project. Rip'n the North Bike Club operates and maintains a bike park and network of 34kms of trails in Vanderhoof. With the grant the Club will complete maintenance and make repairs to the trails and the wooden features located throughout the trail network. The trails are open year-round and available for use by bikers, hikers, dog walkers and tobogganers.
The Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School Parent Advisory Council was approved $5,000 to replace the thirty-year-old score clock in the school gym. The new score clock will enable the school to reliably host league games, basketball tournaments, indoor soccer and floor hockey.
Fraser Lake Curling Club was granted $4,041 to assist with the installation of a Reverse Osmosis System in the newly renovated Fraser Lake Curling Rink. The new system will improve ice quality and allow the Club to provide optimal conditions throughout the season and during bonspiels.
Quotes
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
“The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund’s impressive work to improve the communities they serve by enhancing recreational spaces and activities for local families and visitors is crucial to building a stronger, more resilient future for everyone in the region. We’ll continue working alongside them to make sure people can thrive in the communities they call home.”
Rio Tinto BC Works General Manager Simon Pascoe
“These projects in Burns Lake, Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof will stimulate economic growth and increase recreation opportunities for local communities and First Nations. It is exciting to see NKDF continuing to build strong and diverse economies in Northwest British Columbia.”
NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford
“I commend the Board for their regional approach to decision making and funding these projects that will boost the recreational opportunities offered to both residents and tourists. These exciting projects will further enhance the communities we live, work and play in.”
The next application deadline is July 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.