Kaslo Council has received more letters from the public about South Beach and the RV park development proposal.
Councillor Matthew Brown agreed with several letters, some of which suggested that a risk-benefit analysis and a cost-benefit analysis be completed to more fully understand the effect an RV park could have on the community. In particular, he echoed a resident’s concerns for how the health-care system might be affected.
“We often hear that this is going to be an economic driver for the community, and not an economic drain,” he said. “I think having a cost-benefit analysis would actually prove that out, in a way where it wouldn’t be so subjective.”
Brown also endorsed a referendum.
“The perception that over 200 letters sent to us in opposition is a vocal minority – I think that that is folly,” he said. “I think that a referendum could put this conversation to a close and give council an actual understanding of support and opposition, without making inferences.”
Councillor Molly Leathwood drew attention to the cost of a referendum. “It’s not inexpensive,” she said. “We have to really bear in mind what we’re asking the taxpayers of Kaslo to pay for.”
She suggested potentially bringing together a citizens’ advisory group, chosen by council, to be invited to the table when discussing the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale agreement. It could be made up of a few individuals representing all sides of the issue.
Brown said he’s aware a referendum costs taxpayers, but that the project is so important, in terms of how it could shape the future of the community.
“It’s a situation that a referendum is built for,” he said.
Councillor Robert Lang laid out how he saw the situation: it’s an RV park with the potential for 70 sites with an average of two people per site – and it wouldn’t be built overnight.
“I don’t see the big rush of people coming to Kaslo to buy these [strata] lots, so the impact on the community of an additional 140 people over the course of five-to-10 years is relatively negligible in terms of the health-care system, our ability to service these people, and the effect on our water system,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of hyperbole going on here that’s not really called for, based on the size of the project.”
Brown questioned how Lang came up with the numbers, and reiterated that risk-benefit and cost-benefit analyses would be useful to take subjectivity and uncertainty out of the equation.
During question period, resident Anne Malik asked if there is an estimated date for when the notice of land disposition will be published. Chief administrative officer Robert Brown said the Village will get it out as soon as staff can get the notice together.
Projects update
Ian Dunlop, manager of strategic initiatives, gave an update on the Village’s many projects.
The Village has finally begun work on the Kemball Memorial Centre project, with construction underway on the first-floor accessible washrooms.
This month, Dunlop said crews will start boring holes in the walls for HVAC pipes and the electrical and sprinkler systems. There’s a tender out for structural repairs. The window tender is being finalized, which will include a mix of new and restored windows. The project is about 25 per cent complete. The kitchen feasibility study and accessibility study for the arena are complete. A kitchen design is in hand, including all of the fixtures, and the HVAC system is set to be installed soon. The system will be able to provide clean air in the event of a wildfire. The backup power system is still to be designed before installation can happen.
The Village submitted a pier demolition permit application for the waterfront. Archaeological and hazardous material assessments are complete, along with an environmental management plan.
Recently, the Village received $150,000 from the Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program for the source water protection plan and flood and erosion mitigation plan. Of that, $65,000 will be used for environmental engineering and an archaeological assessment for the flood mitigation plan, and $85,000 will be used to conduct a study and develop a plan for Kemp, Brooks, Clarke, and Cross Creeks, and Kaslo River. The paving project will focus on the 200 block of Front Street, the 300-500 blocks of 2nd Street, Balfour Avenue, and Arena Avenue. Paving is scheduled for this fall or next spring.
KBSA fees
Kaslo Baseball and Softball Association will pay $978.50 to use Murray Pearson Memorial Ball Field during the 2025 season. KBSA will have use of the field until July 21 – weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Village increased the fee by three per cent this year, to account for the corresponding increase budgeted for staff wages, contract services, and supplies related to the baseball field.
KBSA already pays a discounted fee as per an agreement with the Village. Normally, the Village charges $30 per day for use of the field; at this rate, KBSA would have to pay $3,360. Council approved amending the agreement to keep the lower rates but include the three per cent increase.
Brown recused himself as he is president of KBSA.
Singletrack 6
Nine parking stalls on Water Street, across from Front Street Park, will be closed to the public from 8 a.m. on July 9 until 10 p.m. on July 10, to accommodate a medical response team for the Singletrack 6 mountain bike race.
The six-day race, hosted by TransRockies Inc., runs throughout the West Kootenay, with the kick-off race in Kaslo on July 10.
Summer meetings
The regular council meetings planned for July 8 and Aug. 12 were removed from the schedule. Meetings on July 22 and August 26 will proceed as scheduled.
Municipal business often slows down in the summer months, and council deemed it fit to only have one meeting per month.
