The Village of McBride’s council meeting was held on May 22 with Mayor Mike Frazier, councillors Allan Frederick, Irene Rejman, Sean Tobin and Treasurer Danielle Smith. Administrator Eliana Clements and Councillor Rick Thompson were absent.

Room tax proposal

McBride Chamber of Commerce secretary Dannielle Alan proposed the funding strategy of imposing a 2% room tax for accommodators within the municipality.

Alan requested the Village’s partnership as the Village would have to pass a bylaw and be responsible for collecting the revenue.

“This is a user pay system that allows us access to an ever growing pot of money that will help us promote our town,” said Alan.

There will be a public meeting regarding the proposal on June 6 at 7 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers.

Skatepark

Rejman and Tobin both thanked all the kids and parents who helped with a bottle drive on May 19 as a fundraiser for the skatepark.

The event raised $601.30. “The really neat part of the event was everyone from Dunster and McBride coming together to help,” said Tobin. “Everyone really seems to be on board with helping with the project, a lack of help last year seemed to stall the project out.”

Tobin requested that the village begin to do site preparation on the location of the skatepark and perhaps get the concrete slab laid. “Right now that area is just an empty lot,” said Tobin. “Once the pad is there the kids will see something happening and I believe will get more involved.”

At this point there is approximately $17,500 in the skatepark account including money from fundraising events, contributions from the Village, the Regional District of Fraser Fort George, and the Elks and Royal Purple.

Beer Gardens

Council passed motion to allow a beer gardens be set up at the multi purpose building by the Loaded slo-pitch team on June 15, 16, and 17. A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Canadian Cancer Foundation.

RidersWest

The Village of McBride will place an advertisement in the SnoRiders RidersWest magazine at a cost of $1511. The cost will be spilt with the McBride Information Booth.

Accounts Payable

Council passed a motion to pay the accounts for the month of March. Robson Valley Home Hardware Corporation was paid $17,238.52 and $17,114.00 for the Community Hall. Amounts of $14,676.76 and $16,678.04 were paid to Rykes Construction for the hall as well during the month of March.

Upcoming Meetings

Tobin stated that there would be another McBride Forests Industries public information meeting hosted by the McBride Anglican/United Church on June 20. The event will be held at the E-Free Church in McBride.

Council will try to arrange a joint McBride/Valemount council members meeting in the near future.

A forum called ‘Talking About Addictions and Mental Health’ will be held in McBride on June 4 at 7 p.m.. “This is a good opportunity for people to express to Northern Health what they would like to see not only locally but regionally as well,” said Tobin.