Next year will mark the 150 th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia, and one local historian wants to ensure Pemberton does its part to commemorate the occasion.
George Henry, of the Pemberton & District Museum and Archives Society, Tuesday asked Pemberton council to support a range of activities they have planned to help involve the community in the celebrations. Henry emphasized that Pemberton has rich historical and colonial roots, and should be recognizing this milestone.
For the anniversary in 2008, Henry said they are planning to invite the Queen and Lieutenant Governor to a pre-opening event in early April — a period costume ball and dinner, where traditional dishes, like beaver tail and bannock, will be served.
The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts created the BC150 Years Secretariat to organize and implement the 150-year anniversary celebrations across the province.
According to the BC150 Years Secretariat website, non-profit community organizations can apply for up to $10,000 of funding to go towards projects that celebrate the 150 th anniversary.
Council supported the museum and archives society’s grant application.
Lights, camera, no snowplow action
Pemberton will once again play host to a film shoot.
Council approved the request of a production company to shut down Eagle Drive up to the first house on Dogwood Street from Jan. 7 to Feb. 8, to allow for a film shoot.
According to discussion at Tuesday’s council meeting, The Crying Box Productions Ltd. plans to turn the road into a river crash scene. While they will set up the trailers and crew in the area for about a month, most of that time will be used to allow snow to accumulate, and only two days will be used for shooting.
Council also requested that the production company give notice to residents who will be affected by the closure.
The motion also triggered discussion about the village’s film compensation policies.
While Mayor Jordan Sturdy said they should be recovering costs, he emphasized that they shouldn’t be discouraging production companies from coming to the area to film.
Councillor David McKenzie agreed, stating that film production often results in positive economic spin-offs for the entire community.
He also pointed out that the province recently decided to extend film tax credits for an additional five years to maintain B.C.’s competitive edge in the industry.
Staff was also instructed to research what the “norm” is for film policies and compensation.
The film is a project of 20 th Century Fox, and will feature one big-name star who hasn’t been identified yet.
Water metering, but no rush
The Village of Pemberton has opted to slowly move forward with water metering, but has dismissed the idea of universal metering after a study by Earth Tech Inc. showed the process wouldn’t be cost effective.
Instead, the consultants offered a number of alternative changes the village could make immediately to work towards metering in a more “cautionary manner,” explained Councillor Mark Blundell.
Some of the suggestions include ensuring new construction includes installation of meters, a leak detection and repair program, and considering mandatory watering restrictions during summer months.
One of the recommendations is that the village first move to industrial enforcement, then to voluntary residential.
Mayor Jordan Sturdy agreed that retrofitting the entire village with meters would not be cost effective, but suggested incentives may be used to entice residents to change to add metering systems.
