🌟 What’s Happening in Clearwater – September 4, 2025 🌟
🏛️ Corporate Services
- Hospital Helipad – The Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Medevac Helipad project is now 95% through its design stage. We’re working with engineers on electrical, civil, and geotechnical details as we move toward completing our Class B Detailed Design Estimate. The goal is to apply for BCAAP grants to fund construction in 2026.
- Public Art Advisory Committee – The first Public Art Advisory Committee meeting is set for October 9 at 5:00 PM. All Council and committee meetings are open to the public (unless held in-camera).
- UBCM Convention – Staff are preparing meeting requests with Ministers and provincial staff ahead of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Victoria. UBCM is an annual gathering where local governments from across the province meet with the Province to advocate for community priorities. Four Councillors, the Mayor and the CAO will be attending this year to bring forward Clearwater’s issues and opportunities.
- Wayfinding Signs & Trail Maps – Wayfinding signs have now been installed to help residents and visitors navigate our community with ease. Local businesses also have Trail Maps available that are the same as the large maps posted in our parks, free for visitors and residents to take.
- OCP Engagement – This fall, we’ll launch the second round of public engagement for the Official Community Plan (OCP). This is your chance to share input and help shape the future of Clearwater. Stay tuned for details on how you can get involved!
🌱 Climate Action
- Staff have started work on the District’s Climate Action Plan. Related questions were included in the OCP survey, and more opportunities for public engagement are coming soon.
Communications
- Our September newsletter will be arriving in mailboxes soon!
🚌 Transit
- At the August 19 Council meeting, BC Transit presented a proposal to expand the Valley Connector bus service. Right now, the service runs Tuesdays and Thursdays and is often full, with riders being turned away.
- Council expressed support for expanding the service to five days per week (Tuesday–Saturday). This expansion would be cost-shared by BC Transit, the Districts of Clearwater and Barriere, and TNRD electoral areas A, B, and O.
- If approved by the Province, the new schedule could begin in September 2026. Discussions with TNRD and Barriere are underway.
🚧 Seasonal & Capital Projects
- Dutch Lake Beach – Cruisin’ Clearwater: The 2025 Cruisin’ Clearwater Car Show was held at Dutch Lake Beach for the first time, with about 200 vehicles on display. The new location worked well, with no issues reported. The District helped with planning, clearing bollards, and arranging street sweeping. Planning is already underway for next year’s event.
- Murtle Crescent: Paving work is being completed this week.
- Russell Intake Pond: Levels are low and being closely monitored. To ensure a reliable water supply, water restrictions may be heightened. Details coming soon.
- Dike Maintenance: Annual inspection and maintenance will begin on September 8.
🌲 Parks Update
- Park washrooms will close for the season on October 14.
- An initial design concept was presented to Council on August 19th, Stay tuned for more updates on the proposed Bike Park and Dog Park projects. Staff are working on the project costs estimates to take to Council.
🏒 Sportsplex Update
- Hockey School wrapped up at full capacity with 120 skaters – thank you to everyone who participated!
- Preparing for a busy season with 15 tournaments and 12 weekend events already planned.
- Families can look forward to 60+ Family Skating sessions this season.
- Adults – we’ve got you covered with 100+ Adult Hockey sessions on the schedule.
📞 For more information about Sportsplex programming, call 250-674-8712 or email Rmayer@docbc.ca.
🎭 Community Recreation – September
🌊 Summer Highlights
This summer was full of energy and community spirit!
- Swim Lessons at Dutch Lake – With instructors Kawiria Creed, Cleo Coates, and Evan Colborne, we welcomed 105 students over 4 amazing weeks.
- Day Camps – Led by Kiah Philips and Martha Taylor, our camps saw 42 registrations and 20 drop-ins across 5 weeks of fun.
- Starry Nights – Our stargazing event drew around 40 visitors who enjoyed a presentation and telescope viewing before a summer storm rolled in. We’re already looking forward to hosting this event again next year!
🍂 Coming Up This Fall
- Aikido Classes – Returning students start the first week of September. Registration is now available online.
- Official Fall Aikido Session – Begins in October. Registration details coming soon.
- Yoga with Sylvia – Returning Monday evenings in September (dates to be announced).
- Drop-in Pickleball – Back at DLCC mid-September.
- Ladies Hockey School – Scheduled for September 19 – 21 (more details to come).
- Drop-in Painting Nights & Tabletop Game Nights – Dates to be announced soon.
- Culture Days – Running September 19 – October 12. The event and program schedule will be released in early September.
🔥 FireSmart & Fire Department
Our FireSmart Crew has been hard at work this season:
- Completed 6 Home Ignition Zone Assessments
- Carried out mitigation work at:
- 5 Seniors’ properties
- 3 roadside locations
Meanwhile, the Fire Department responded to 3 Medical First Responder calls this month.
