District of Clearwater residents had the opportunity to share ideas about the future planning of the town during an open house held Wednesday, Jan. 22.
District staff and council hosted the four-hour event, which attracted a full house of community members eager to engage in thoughtful discussions about Clearwater’s vision, safety and growth.
Information on several key topics, including the importance of Fire Smarting homes to improve wildfire resilience, budget priorities, and potential developer connection charges was shared at the meeting and attendees were encouraged to share their ideas and concerns, with municipal councillors actively participating in the discussions.
Councillor Ken Matheson, an advocate for community engagement, highlighted the importance of events like this in building a shared vision for Clearwater. “We had such a fantastic turnout. The ideas shared tonight, some practical, others quite ambitious, show how much our community cares about the future of Clearwater,” he said. “It’s through collaboration and dreaming big that we make progress.”
Clearwater Fire Chief Mike Smith, accompanied by Clearwater’s FireSmart coordinator, Chance Breckenridge, and Ember the FireSmart mascot, offered expert advice on wildfire preparedness. Their participation underscored the town’s ongoing commitment to safety and emergency management. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and learn practical steps to protect their homes from wildfire risks.
Local resident, long time volunteer and vice-president of the Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce, Cheryl Thomas told the Clearwater Times the open House was held at a great time of day, late afternoon, early evening for residents.
"The extensive info sharing on display boards and with representatives contributed to a terrific turnout from the public. Well done!"
True Consulting, a Kamloops based firm is partner in Clearwater's planning processes. During the meeting they provided professional insights and facilitated discussions about long-term goals and strategies for the community. They covered topics ranging from infrastructure needs to innovative ideas for growth and development.
"This open house was one of the best-attended events we’ve hosted," said Matheson. "We’re grateful for the community’s participation and for the diverse range of ideas brought to the table. Events like these showcase the passion and vision Clearwater residents have for their town."
For those unable to attend, the DOC continues to invite residents to share their input. Feedback can be provided via email to: admin@docbc.ca and residents are welcome to drop into the district office at Dutch Lake Community Centre for a conversation or connect with any of the district councillors online or in person.
“The open house was such a great turn out and I’d like to thank everyone who attended,” said district councillor Lynne Frizzle who is also the Seniors Society coordinator in Clearwater. “I was very excited to see all the people willing to come out and share their opinions and thoughts. It was really uplifting that they wanted to come and see what we are up to as a council.”
