News Leader News for May 15, 2007
TOWN COUNCIL HEARS PLEA FOR NEW PUB
The new pub would be called The Brown Bridge Pub if Town Council will support the application to move the liquor licence from the former Princeton Hotel site. The new site would be at the corner of Bridge Street and Thomas Avenue.
Dave Fulks, who currently owns the hotel in Keremeos, will be the owner of the proposed pub. He presented his plans to Town Council on May 7 at a special hearing. Only a few residents attended the hearing.
Fulks said BC Liquor Control Board has approved transfer of the licence, and Fulks intends to go ahead with renovations as soon as possible. He said the proposed site is "temporary" as he plans to build a new pub on the former Princeton Hotel site.
He is waiting for the end of litigation between the insurance company and JAC Management, owners of the hotel and land.
Fulks told Council it is essential that he have the pub up and running in order to open his liquor store in Princeton Plaza. He cannot operate the liquor store without having the pub in operation.
The presentation to Council emphasized adherence to liquor control legislation, easy walking distance within the downtown area, attention to noise bylaws, and a place for entertainment and a good meal. His plan calls for an atmosphere like that of English or Irish pubs. He plans a patio for good weather.
Parking was the big issue for other business people in the area. Fulks said pub patrons would be encouraged to park on the former hotel site. Business people at that end of Bridge Street were not concerned about parking after their shops closed, but did express concerns about parking between noon and 5:00 PM.
Fulks said he would ensure patrons were not parked there for four or five hours during the day. If a vehicle was a problem, he would see that it was moved as soon as he heard a complaint.
Mayor Randy McLean reviewed all of the information and said Fulks had addressed all of the concerns Council must consider. Council is left with the decision as to whether granting the licence at the new location would be contrary to public interest.
PXA CONTINUES QUEST FOR MONEY
Despite receiving a $100,000 grant from Community Forest Corporation, members of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA) spent a lot of time discussing sources of funding. The money crunch is about ongoing maintenance and upgrading of the fairgrounds facility.PXA President John Bey talked about the many grant applications he has made during the past few months. The majority of applications received little or nothing, but the ongoing expenses must be met somehow in the next few years.
The $100,000 grant will be spent on a chain link fence around the property boundaries. The fence will prevent some of the abuses of the grounds, such as the continuing problem with unauthorized motorcyclists crossing the horse racing track.
A $5,000 grant from Regional District is committed to a new sound system. Speakers will be located in all buildings, the office and around the rodeo arena. Announcements can be made from the office as well as from the announcer's stands. John Bey said he had contacted Lorne Woods, a sound system installer, who had laid out the pattern and had provided good second hand equipment to do the job.
The new bright yellow steel gates are in place at the main entry. They look great as is, but the job is not finished. Thanks to the generosity of Shelly Carlson, who owns a sign business, a huge new sign will go above the gates. Other signs will go on the back of the exhibits building visible to the road. These signs will advertise the rodeo, horse races and fair.
On the outside of the fence, near the main gate, there will be sponsor signs that will be maintained every year. These smaller signs will be maintained with an annual fee, but the sponsoring business will not have to pay to make the sign. As there is a lot of traffic along or near Laurie Currie Way, these signs should be highly visible advertising for local businesses. The sale of these signs should help pay for the cost of the new gates.
Reports from the three main groups show progress being made toward all big events. There was no representative from Princeton Motorsports, and the PXA wondered if the group is functioning or has disbanded.
PXA meetings are held at the fairgrounds office during the good weather. The next meeting will be at this location on June 12 at 7:00 PM.
CFC ISSUES GRANT MONEY
Eleven local organizations will share in $295,000 in funding Princeton and District Community Forest Corporation Board Chair Randy McLean announced last week."These grants are an investment in our areas recreation and cultural organizations facilities and their operations. The grants represent a substantial investment in our community by the Forest Corporation," said corporation Chair McLean. "These organizations are providing the amenities, activities and services that we often take for granted. Their volunteers are the unsung heroes who make our life in Princeton and area that much better."
The Princeton and District Community Forest Corporation offers grants to recreational and cultural organizations to assist in their capital projects and operations. The corporation receives Grant applications annually and organizations can apply for major funding (>$5000) or for funding (<$5000). In 2005 the forest corporation granted $250,000 to the Princeton Golf Club. The $295,000 funding disbursements represents grants for 2006/2007.
To be eligible for these grants, organizations must have the mandate to provide recreational and cultural services and/or facilities in Princeton or within Area H of the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen.
Forest Corporation Grants:
- Princeton Exhibition Association (Exhibition Grounds Upgrades) $100,000 - Kokanee Summer Swim Club (Equipment) $3,500 - Princeton & District Museum and Archives Society (Facility Expansion Planning) $30,000 - Vermilion Trails Society (Roundhouse Interpretive Signage) $30,000 - Princeton Youth Soccer (Equipment) $2,000 - Princeton Curling Club (Facility Upgrades & Equipment) $50,000 - China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association (Warming Hut & Equipment Storage Facility) $10,000 - Princeton Posse Hockey Club (Dressing Room Lockers) $15,000 - Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen (Riverside Performing Art Centre) $50,000 - Princeton Minor Fastball (Tournament) $500 - Princeton & District Chamber of Commerce (Trade Show Booth) $4,000.
LOCAL TEAM TESTS AUTO SKILLS
BCIT, BCAA and BC Ford Dealers gave secondary students the keys to start their automotive repair careers as they teamed up to test students' automotive knowledge and technical skills at the Student Auto Skills Competition held on May 4 at BCIT's Burnaby campus.The annual competition, now in its 17th year, is designed to encourage careers in the automotive industry and to cultivate talent among young, aspiring auto technicians.
The Student Auto Skills competition features the top 20 high school automotive students from across the province, representing schools in Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Duncan, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, Princeton, Salmon Arm and Terrace. The Princeton team included PSS students Brad Haig and Ian Stout.
The hands-on competition consists of 10 two-student teams racing against a clock to diagnose and repair identically 'bugged' malfunctions deliberately installed in vehicles. The first team to successfully start and road test their vehicle is declared the winner. Students qualified by taking exams earlier this spring.
The Princeton pair were able to locate seven of the 'bugs' in the 90-minutes given to debug the vehicle.
The Student Auto Skills Competition serves as a springboard for those who wish to pursue an automotive career.
Each year many of the participants move on to promising careers in the automotive industry as a result of participation in the competition and the scholarships they win. Over $19,000 of prizes and scholarships were presented.
COUNCIL AWARDS WORK CONTRACTS
Town Council was in a spending mood on May 7, awarding several contracts.The Town will spend $20,237 plus GST for four fencing projects: Brooks Reservoir, Industrial Park pump station, Well Site #4, and sewer lagoon blower station.
Alpine Line Painting and Traffic Marking was awarded a three year contract at $7,985 plus GST per year.
Dust Away Road Spraying was awarded a three year contract for dust control. The rate is $0.264 cents per litre plus taxes.
Improvements to the municipal campground will cost $23,896.78. Improvements include plumbing, electrical and picnic tables.
