Field Recreation Advisory Association Board Meeting May 10, 2021

In attendance: Sally Watson, Paulina O’Brien, Sonya Leenders, Kathryn Cameron

Excused: Heather Galligan, Greg Dowman

1. Covid-19 Community Approach Vaccination Clinic May 14, 2021

Thanks to everyone who contacted Interior Health requesting a local vaccination clinic. Thank you Emerald Lake Lodge for hosting the clinic. Reports of some issues with registering and booking an appointment. Interior Health says there are still appointment times available at the clinic. All you need is a Field address. When you register, a temporary BC Personal Health Number will be assigned.

Call 1-833-838-2323 to book your appointment! Phone method seems to be less difficult.

2. CSRD Grant in Aid up to $5000 for Community Organizations that lost revenue due to Public Health Orders

At the April 15, 2021 Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Board Meeting, Directors approved the allocation of $100,000 of its COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant funding to go towards non-profit and charity groups in the CSRD’s Electoral Areas to support their continued community services. Many of these groups are dealing with shortfalls and unforeseen expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this initiative, the Board approved Policy F-37 COVID-19 Safe Restart Grants-in-Aid, which will guide the application process and the allocation of funds.

Qualifying organizations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to assist with these financial difficulties. 

Sonya to start Application process, to be submitted by the end of May.

Generally, the FRAA receives between $4000 and $5000 in revenue from Hall rentals. In the past year the FRAA received $150 for the only rental since March 2020: the BC Election. 

We have asked a contractor to give us estimates for a new change room door and replacement windows for the change room. A Grant-in-Aid from CSRD will certainly help us with these necessary improvements.

3. Community Hall Cleanup and Maintenance Tasks assigned:

Kitchen – Kathryn

Bathrooms – Paulina

Inside Windows – Sonya 

Change Room – Winter Poachers (expect a phone call to make arrangements)

Mouse Control – Sonya

Hall Flowers – Five hanging baskets and four window boxes to make. Budget of $200. Sonya to coordinate.

4. Programs and Events

All programs and events are on hold pending changes to current Public Health Orders on Gatherings and Events. For all details: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf

The Board will meet again in two weeks to review Public Health Orders and determine what is possible for getting together. The next Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 31, 2021. After the Board Meeting on May 24, 2021 we’ll know if the Town Hall Meeting will be virtual or in-person, or a combination of virtual and in-person. Stay tuned.

5. St. Joseph Project 

Development Permit Application information to be circulated to the Board for review. Intent is to submit the Application by the end of the week.

The designer and engineers have been asked for advice on preparing tender packages to send to prospective contractors.

6. Street Cleaner 

Highways has indicated the street cleaner will be in Field in the next ten days to two weeks, depending on progress of highway cleaning and line painting.

7. Spring Bins

This is a year for spring bins. Townsites is getting quotes. Dates to be determined.

8. Yoho National Park Management Planning Virtual Session, Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm 

This Wednesday, May 12, Parks Canada will be hosting a virtual public information session on the draft Yoho National Park management plan.

The session takes place from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. It will include a presentation of the plan, followed by a question and answer period.

To learn more, or to register to receive the Google Meet link, please email: pc.yoho-opinion.pc@canada.ca.

For more information, contact:

Lesley Matheson

Partnering and Engagement Officer

403-431-2325, lesley.matheson@canada.ca

9. BC Hydro Planned Outage Wednesday May 12, 2021 from 9 am to 3:00 pm

BC Hydro is planning a power outage which will affect approximately 200 customers in Field, BC, on Wednesday, May 12th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  This will replace the date originally announced (May 14th).  The length of the outage has been increased to accommodate the scope of work requiring completion.

The scheduled outage will allow BC Hydro to move service to a temporary underground distribution line through the Kicking Horse Canyon construction area on the Trans-Canada Highway, reducing the risk of future unplanned outages.

Questions? Please contact: Sally MacDonald, Community Relations, East Kootenay BC Hydro

Email: sally.macdonald@bchydro.com 

Tel: 250.489.6841 

10. FRAA Business Licence

The FRAA now has business license to operate a community organization in Yoho National Park. We needed it to apply for Restricted Activity Permits to maintain ski trails and have a fire pit at the Community Hall.

11. Round Table

Sonya: Signed a three-year contract last year to provide gardening and lawn maintenance services. Discussing status of the contract with Townsite Manager in light of Parks Canada intention to hire a three-person maintenance crew to provide the service to Lake Louise and Field. Sally suggested that when the Parks Canada crew is hired they could also be tasked with sanding and repainting the picnic tables in the Plaza.

Sally: The FRAA to request a debrief with Art MacLean on the extended closure to review protocols re: 

  • need for times the commuters and residents are escorted through the construction zone to be firm and consistent;
  • Covid-19 work-place protocols in the construction zone, i.e. workers not social distancing or masking when travelling in work vehicles; and,
  • Resident Passes to travel through the construction zone during extended closures – people aren’t returning the passes they signed out so the supply is running low. Kathryn to send an email to Art.

Next Meetings:

FRAA Board Meeting: May 24, 2021 7:00 pm

Town Hall Meeting: May 31, 2021