As springtime approaches, it’s always nice to see our neighbours’ calves & lambs frolicking in the fields. And of course, the birds, two of my favourites being robins and meadowlarks. Soon we will be turning our attention to the garden and all the things a new season brings.
March is the end of the fiscal year for the Regional District and as we wind up budgets, it’s a good time to review things such as fire services, weed control, food security, and various other services the RDKB provides. A special thanks to all who came out to the Town Hall March 6th in Rock Creek where we reviewed budgets and services and residents asked really good questions.
Below are just some of the programs I’ve supported through Services and Grant-in-Aid, a tool which enables each regional director in the RDKB discretionary spending. This allows me to support youth, seniors, recreation, food shares, and environmental programs in the West Boundary.
- Kettle River Food Share
- Beaverdell Friends Helping Friends Food Share
- Trails to the Boundary Trails Coordinator & Operations
- Midway & Greenwood Libraries
- Rock Creek & Boundary Fall Fair
- Upgrades to Community Halls
- West Boundary Connect (Info/Business Directory/Event Website)
- Parkview Manor
- Pickleball courts for Big White
- Kettle River Echo ($1200 increase for 2025)
- Hospital Hospice Society
- Beaverdell Community Hot Lunch Program
- Rock Creek Medical Clinic
- Greenwood & Midway Museums
- Paving Project for Riverside Centre (spring/summer 2025)
I continue to help with local recreational events & fundraisers in Area E including curling, softball, golf, and youth soccer, hockey, and a soapbox derby. Also happy to add support for our local ski areas through grants for the 2025 Para Snowboard World Championships at Big White and for the Baldy Mountain Fire Committee who are actively involved in wildfire prevention strategies.
I am also continuing the funding for the Emergency Preparedness Fair which will be held in Midway this year with a focus on Food Security. Pat Henley made a presentation to the RDKB Boundary Services Committee on this event, and we all appreciate her work on this. She also brought the committees attention to Richard Dunsdon, the RDKB representative for the Village of Midway who has spent countless hours on the Midway Community Garden. If you haven’t been there, it’s a must see! You’re able to purchase an assortment of quality LOCAL produce and can also rent space to grow your own garden. Thank you, Richard & Pat 🙂
In my position as Regional Director, it empowers me to help the various Societies in the area and I’m grateful for the way our community pulls together to support each other. I’ve recommended that a Volunteer Appreciation Day be held this year, and research is currently underway to explore holding this event at the Rock Creek Fairgrounds in May. If you are involved with a society in the West Boundary and would like to join the fun, please email Boundary Community Partners Association at: bcpa@gmail.com or call me directly at 250.689.0177, I’d love to hear from you. Stay tuned for further information on this event to honour our volunteer task force!
Sharen Gibbs
RDKB Area ‘E’ Director West Boundary