Carol Schaffer, Thompson-Nicola Regional District representative for Area A (Wells Gray Country), chaired a community meeting at Vavenby Community Hall on Monday evening, March 14.
Sherri Madden, TNRD services coordinator for Electoral Areas A and B, was present as well.
Schaffer had called the meeting to go over improvements made in 2015 and to speak to any issues that the community might have. After she covered each topic questions could be asked.
The first topic was Vavenby's water system. The town had been on a lengthy boil order that is now downgraded to a boil advisory. Schaffer pointed out that the water is tested weekly by Interior Health and it is they who decide on the need for a boil order due to the level of the turbidity in the water.
The pump-house has had several improvements made to it, such as two new pumps, a new connection from the building to the wet well, a new flow meter and new check valves, a bulletin board and shelving installed, and others. A new battery system at the reservoir was also installed.
People asked when the town would get a new filtration system. Schaffer replied that because of the age of the system the TNRD has applied for grant monies so that a complete study of the system can be done.
The second topic covered was the railroad crossing in Vavenby. Some work was done on it in 2015 but it is still very bumpy and hard on vehicles. Mr. Bergery from CN has said that shims could be inserted into the crossing but that would only be temporary.
The ditch by the tracks will get fixed properly this spring by Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. A culvert will be put in.
Jessica Toscano, chairperson of the Vavenby Cummunity Working Group, spoke about what the group had covered and then listed in order of priority what the group wanted for the park. Toscano also let everyone know when various parts of the work would begin.
Gordon Ellis, new fire chief of the Vavenby Volunteer Fire Department, brought the residents up-to-date on the status of the fire department. He was pleased to say that its membership is now up to 16. Some of the trucks are getting old and will need to be replaced. This will take a while, due to cost. He then went over emergency situations, answering questions from the audience.
When Ellis was finished, Schaffer called Toscano and Judy Alexander to the front of the room and presented each with a certificate of appreciation for the work they had done on the park committee. The other two members of the committee, Katherine Chrystall and Isaac Moilliet, were not present at the meeting so their certificates of appreciation will be sent to them.
Schaffer wants to hold these meetings yearly. Only 18 people attended this one. She felt that the low turnout showed that residents must be satisfied. People wishing for more information should phone Schaffer at 250-676-9519 or at 250-674-7049.
Before people left, Linda King stood and thanked the TNRD for buying the new kitchen appliances for the community hall.
Youngsters learn about science
On Monday, March 7, the travelling Science World arrived at Vavenby Primary School.
Everyone had fun watching the experiments that were performed.
One of them was a hot rocket booster. The students learned that when water was added the rocket flew higher.
A scientist spun water on a tray. The water didn’t fall out because it was going really fast.
With the balloon experiment, students Moira Chrystall and Mercy Flegel had two different thoughts of what would happen. One of the scientists drew Hunter Chrystall’s head on the balloon and then inflated it. Moira thought that the balloon would blow up because it got so huge. Flegel didn’t think it would pop because it was an experiment.
Easter egg hunt on Sunday
Everyone should remember about the Easter colouring and bonnet contests and Easter egg hunt that will take place at Vavenby Community Hall on Sunday, March 27, 9 – 11
Spring break has now begun and children are on the roads, so motorists should take extra care.
Inset photo - Ethan Meidl watches a demonstrator from the travelling Science World fill a bottle with shaving cream for a rocket experiment. Photo by Robyn Rexin