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Grand Forks, Christina Lake denied Community Recreation Program funding

The City of Grand Forks' bid for Dick Bartlett Park upgrades and Christina Lake's bid for a pedestrian bridge have been denied.

The City of Grand Forks was denied funding from the Community Recreation Program to upgrade Dick Bartlett Park.

City staff had originally proposed to include a green gym, a water park and a walking/bike path route to the park in an application.

“It met all the criteria, but we didn’t get the grant,” stated Lynne Burch, chief administrative officer for the city. “This was a one-time grant, so unless they find more money or make a different grant (we won’t be receiving anything).”

The Community Recreation Program was announced by the province at the end of last October.

According to the Government of B.C. website, the $30-million Community Recreation Program was created to “address the unique challenges faced by communities in the province with respect to meeting their recreational infrastructure needs. The program will invest in local government capital projects that make communities healthier, more active places in which to live.”

There would be a cost sharing formula, which would see the provincial government contribute 80 per cent to a maximum of $400,000 for recreational infrastructure in support of healthier families.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get the funding and it was a real disappointment,” stated Coun. Gary Smith. “I know staff had spent a lot of time working on that and they put a really good package together. Council was very impressed with all the work they had done with it.”

Smith pointed out that the decision “came as quite a blow because it would have been a great thing for our community. It’s sad that we didn’t get funding to update the park.”

Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Area C Christina Lake’s proposal for a pedestrian bridge was also denied.

The Village of Midway will receive $400,000 from the Community Recreation Program to expand and upgrade the Midway Arena, while the City of Greenwood will also receive $263,000 to upgrade the existing ball field into a multi-purpose playing field.

“It is good that Greenwood and Midway received some grant funds,” Burch added.