Happy Cowboy Heritage Week! As Councillor Hughes said at Tuesday’s Council meeting, we are very proud of this city’s and region’s cowboy heritage, and we’re grateful to our ranching community for their contributions. It’s the pioneering spirit that lives on in Williams Lake to this day. And we’re grateful to the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, local authors and historians, and all those who keep our history and promote our cowboy heritage.
I attended the second annual TRU gala Saturday, and had a wonderful time. The gala was started by Brian Garland and the TRU GRIT group representing business people to grow the university, increase its profile, and raise funds for student bursaries. I am 100 per cent behind this initiative. TRU is a huge asset, and is poised to help drive economic and educational growth even higher. A special thank you to Jay Cheek, who headed up this year’s organizing committee. Last year raised $40,000 that supported our students locally.
Great news last week from Interior Health: the project to upgrade the Cariboo Memorial Hospital will move forward over the next six months. The master plan includes more than 30 new beds, a new parking lot, and a helipad, among other improvements. This has been highlighted as a priority for the city and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District, and I am excited to see this plan move forward.
More great news: Our MP Dick Harris announced $31,338 from the federal government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund to Williams Lake Rugby Football Club to improve its clubhouse, including accessibility upgrades. We have a strong legacy of competitive rugby players so it is great to see the support for additional capital to our fields.
Taseko Mines has submitted additional information in response to questions about its Environmental Impact Statement for the New Prosperity Mine, and the public has until March 15 to comment on it. I encourage everyone with an interest to review the information and to submit your comments to the Review Panel. I’m happy to see the process continue to unfold, and I look forward to the public hearings.
Kerry Cook is the mayor of Williams Lake.