The banner display across Old North Thompson Highway near the Wells Gray Inn intersection has proven to be an effective means of advertising community events.
Now District of Clearwater has a consistent policy for the construction, installation and removal of the banners, as well as insurance requirements.
Based on recommendations from staff, last Tuesday town council approved a display of banners policy that includes construction specifications.
Banners shall be 4' deep and 24' long, says the policy. They will be made from flame retardant, vinyl coated 19-ounce polyester.
Addition to firehall
Council approved construction of a 10' x 36' addition to the rear of Clearwater's firehall.
The space will be used as a locker and dressing area for firefighters that is away from firetrucks backing up.
The addition will take the place of the old firehall, which was built in 1970 and is becoming unsafe to use, said fire chief Mike Smith in a report.
The project is expected to cost about $25,000.
The addition would not replace the need for a new firehall but would complement it. Building of a new firehall has been identified in the District's five-year plan for 2015 and is anticipated to cost $1.4 million.
Sportsplex lease agreement
Council authorized Mayor John Harwood and interim chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx to sign off on a 25-year lease agreement with School District 73 for the North Thompson Sportsplex and Rotary Sports Park properties.
Harwood noted that part of the agreement calls for free skating for students in school. Not enough children take advantage of the opportunity, he said.
BC Hydro limits outage
Some quick action by District of Clearwater staff limited a power outage by BC Hydro on Sunday, Aug. 28.
The outage was to have included pretty well all of Clearwater and area. Several local tourist operations had objected because that weekend was one of their busiest of the year.
District staff contacted the power company and got the outage limited to just the Flats area. As it turned out the outage, which had been planned to last three hours, only lasted one.
Councilor Stephanie Teare laid much of the credit for the downsizing to Leslie Groulx, now the District's chief administrative officer.
Ken Kjenstad suggested a letter be sent to BC Hydro, thanking the company for its flexibility.