Gibsons council will break ground for the new RCMP building next Wednesday morning (Nov. 24).
In anticipation of that event, council passed a motion at its Tuesday, Nov. 16, council meeting to issue a development variance permit and a development permit for the building. Council also agreed to build the detachment up to gold LEED standards, but chose not to certify because of the cost. It would cost an addition $81,000 to get the certification.
"The taxpayers are not going to pay that $81,000," said Mayor Barry Janyk.
There are still a few aspects of the building's plan that must be decided upon, including the secondary access road surface and the landscaping, but council was confident those details would be decided upon soon by the planning committee.
A draft landscape plan was given to council by landscape architect Judith Reeve Tuesday night, and it was referred to the planning committee for input.
Beach fires
Fires are not allowed on Gibsons beaches, and to help get the word out, council passed a motion to invest in education on the subject.
Coun. Gerry Tretick said youth are often the ones starting beach fires, and it was felt that raising awareness of Gibsons' fire bylaws in the youth community would help deal with the problem.
Council directed staff to contact Sunshine Coast RCMP, and youth centre and youth outreach workers requesting assistance with an education plan.
Museum
Council approved drafting a letter of support for the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives to apply for grant funding that will enable them to continue to offer their museum school.
The program has children spend a week in the museum learning about history in ways that make the subject come alive.
"The main cost is the busing of students to the museum. Apparently the museum picks up a big portion of the busing because it's not in the school district's budget. In order to continue they must look for better sources of funding," Tretick said.
SD46 support
Council voted to draft a letter of support for School District No. 46 to apply for funding to upgrade the long jump and triple jump pit behind Elphinstone Secondary School.
The school district will be applying for a School Community Connections Grant to have the work done at a cost of $10,000.
Elves Club
If it snows on Dec. 19, the local Elves Club will need volunteer drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles to help deliver hampers to families in need.
Deanna Hoversland of the Elves Club appeared before council asking for their support to get the word out.
She said that snow could essentially strand the volunteer drivers now registered, but that leaving families without a Christmas hamper is not an option the Elves Club wants to entertain.
If you can help, phone the Elves Club depot at 604-886-7743 after Nov. 24.
