Over one million dollars has been approved to fund projects throughout the East Kootenay region. The funds come from the Columbia Basin Trust’s Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs Funding, and are administered by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

“We approved a total of $1,014,490 this year,” said RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay in a press release. ““I want to thank CBT for providing this funding for the region and supporting so many different community based projects that could not happen without this support. I also want to acknowledge the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring these projects to reality.”

The RDEK Board of Directors approved funding for 140 projects over the coming year. The Echo has listed the approved projects  for the Columbia Valley in alphabetical order.

• “Ramp UP!,” a project by Access in the Community for Equality (A.C.E.) saw $2,000 go to the District of Invermere, $2,000 to Electoral Area F, $1,012 to Electoral Area G $3,500 into the Village of Canal Flats, and $1,000 towards the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• The All Saints United Guild was granted money for the Edgewater Church Upper Roof Steeple. Electoral Area G gained $2,500, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs benefitted $1,028.00.

• The Blue Lake Forest Education Society saw several funds distributed throughout the valley. The District of Invermere received $1,500, Electoral Area E is up $3,000, Electoral Area F gained $2,500, and the Village of Canal Flats has $5,000 for the project.

• The Health Equipment Loans Program Equipped for Progress, a project through the Canadian Red Cross Society, benefited with $600 towards the District of Invermere $250 to Electoral Area F $64 for the Village of Canal Flats, and $250 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs $250.

• The Canal Flats Food Bank received $2,000, and the Canal Flats Wilderness Club received $8,500 for the Canal Flats Gun Range Completion, in addition to $2,000  for the project through Electoral Area F.

• The Windermere Valley Early Childhood Development Team’s Healthy Eating project saw $1,000 allocated to the District of Invermere, $700 for Electoral Area F, $500 to Electoral Area G, $1,000 to the Village of Canal Flats, and $500 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• The Columbia Cultural Tourism Association saw it Place-Based Cultural Tourism Strategy-Added Payback project gain $1,000 in the District of Invermere, $2,500 for Electoral Area F, $500 for Electoral Area G, $2,000 towards the Village of Canal Flats, and $1,000 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• Connecting Communities, Linking Ecosystems & Building, and project through the Columbia River Greenways Alliance, saw the District of Invermere receive $2,500, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs $2,000.

• For the Setting the Stage Performance and Presentation Package through the Columbia Valley Arts Council, the District of Invermere earned $750, $500 for Electoral Area F, and $250 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• The Columbia Valley Swim Club gained $1,000 in District of Invermere $500 for Electoral Area F and G, and $1,500 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.• The East Kootenay Brain Injury Association benefited through its Support, Empower, Achieve! project. The District of Invermere and Canal Flats were allocated $1,000 each, as well as Electoral Areas E and F. The Village of Radium Hot Springs gained $500.

• The East Kootenay Regional Science Fair Society received money for the Outreach to Communities North of Cranbrook project. The District of Invermere saw $1,000 in funding, Electoral Area E $600, Electoral Area F $1,000, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs received $500.

• The Edgewater Recreation Society benefitted through the Renew & Revitalize with Technology. Two-hundred dollars was allocated to the District of Invermere and Electoral Area F, while $8,500 was granted to Electoral Area G $8,500. The Village of Radium Hot Springs is up $500.

• The Fairmont and District Lions Club received $500 in the District of Invermere for the Lions Community Den. Also for that project, Electoral Area F was granted $13,000, the Village of Canal Flats $1,500, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs $500.

• The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley was granted money for its Start-Up and Volunteer Training. The District of Invermere gained $750, Electoral Area F received $1,000, Electoral Area G is up $500, the Village of Canal Flats was allotted $2,000, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs $1,000.

• Kootenay Library Federation was granted funds for the 2013 conferences. The District of Invermere benefitted $2,500, Electoral Area F $1,000, Electoral Area G $500, and the Village of Radium Hot Springs $1,000.

• The Lake Windermere Alliance Church was granted money for the Sonshine Children’s Playground. The  District of Invermere received $3,500, and Electoral Area G received $250.

• The Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club was allocated money for upgrades to the community range. One-thousand dollars towards the District of Invermere $2,000 into Electoral Area F, $1,000 for Electoral Area G, and $9,842 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• The Panorama Mountain Freeride Club received funding for equipment and supplies. The District of Invermere gained $500.00 and Electoral Area F is up $1,000.00, while the Village of Radium Hot Springs received  $200.

• Purcell Mountain Biking School benefitted for the Mount Nelson Athletic Park Bicycle Pump Track project. The District of Invermere received $8,000, and Electoral Area F gained $3,000. The Village of Canal Flats earned $1,000.

• The Radium Hot Springs Public Library received funding for Cards for Children; the Village of Radium Hot Springs earned $1,000.

• SQx Danza, through the Blue Lake Professional Interactive Dance Rehearsal Insight, received funding for field trips. The District of Invermere gained $500.00, and the Village of Canal Flats $1,000.

• The Steamboat Mountain Music Festival gained $500 in the District of Invermere $250 for Electoral Area F $4,500 into Electoral Area G, and $750 towards the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club benefitted through the Cross River Canyon Ski Trails Groomer.

• One-thousand dolllars for the District of Invermere, $3,000 for Electoral Area F $1,500 into the Village of Canal Flats, and $17,500 for the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

• The Wilmer Community Club gained a combined $12,000 in funding through the District of Invermere ($1,500), Electoral Area F ($1,400), and Electoral Area G ($9,100)

• The Windermere District Historical Society gained a total of $3,000 for the Painting of a Historic Building Called “The Legion”. The money was allocated through the District of Invermere ($7500), Electoral Area F ($1,250), Electoral Area G ($500), and the Village of Radium Hot Springs ($500).

• Wings Over the Rockies received money for Laptops for Registration. The District of Invermere was granted $578, and $400 was allocated to both Electoral Areas F and G.