The Search and Rescue headquarters off Field Road in Wilson Creek will be getting a new building for its fleet of vehicles, with funding secured through a $50,000 Legacy Fund grant from the Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF).
Members of both organizations gathered at SAR’s Field Road headquarters on Nov. 29 to acknowledge the financial award, which will be used to build a three-bay garage that will house the organization’s Ford F350 pickup truck, trailer, UTV and boat.
SAR manager Alec Tebbutt said receiving the funding was “enormous.”
“This will make our vehicles and equipment last longer and be better for response time,” said Tebbutt. Currently, the one-bay garage cannot house all of the equipment, which is stored outside in a fenced area. “It makes a big difference for us and the community,” he said.
Excavation is underway at the site, the foundation will be completed in December and Tebbutt expects the pre-fabricated building to be installed in January, with additional work completed in early spring. The garage will sit next to the current building and will be earthquake resistant.
SCCF chair Geoff Craig said it is difficult deciding where the grant money goes, which is typically used to fund capital projects. “We often get many more applications for funding than we have funds available and this was one we felt benefits a large number of people and we like to donate to groups that have a history of being good stewards of the money they get,” he said.
About 12 applications for the 2018 Legacy Fund grant are currently being considered and SCCF has approximately $380,000 to distribute. Applications are now closed and the District of Sechelt is expected to announce the winners in the new year.
