Much-needed repairs to the Seymour Arm Community Wharf will proceed after Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Directors voted unanimously to provide $180,000 towards the project.
The CSRD funding will be allocated from the Electoral Area F Community Works Fund, creating no direct impact on the 2023 tax rates in the area.
The $180,000 CSRD contribution will be added to the $120,000 contribution from the non-profit Seymour Arm Community Association to ensure the project moves ahead as soon as possible.
The wharf was closed to public use in October 2022 due to structural safety concerns.
The community association approached the CSRD for financial assistance, as the wharf not only supports boaters to the area, but is a key piece of infrastructure for emergency response by the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue #106 boats.
In 2022, the association reports there were 12 medical emergencies in the area which required the Search and Rescue boat to respond.
“This is a critical community asset for safety and tourism,” said Electoral Area F Director Jay Simpson, who encouraged Directors to vote in favour of the expenditure.
“The community association has put in a significant amount of money, so what they need is topping up to get a community asset that will last 25 years or better,” he added.
With the Board approval now in hand, the Seymour Arm Community Association can now proceed with obtaining additional quotes for the wharf decking work and move the project forward as quickly as possible.
A section of the damaged decking on the Seymour Arm Wharf. (Photo courtesy Susan Howie)
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