Approximately 35 people showed up at the Malakwa Community Hall last Tuesday evening to discuss the referendum question concerning the former Malakwa Elementary School building.
This bylaw is referring to those property owners and residents in a specified area within the boundary of Area E of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. The eastern boundary is just east of the Enchanted Forest, and the western boundary is shared by the Malakwa Fire Protection boundary.
This referendum question does not pertain to the District of Sicamous.
The building is now referred to as the Malakwa Community Learning Centre. It is a rental property that is currently renting to the Malakwa post office, the Eagle Valley Community Support Society, the Malakwa Community Learning Academy as well rental for pottery classes and family fun nights.
There are some long-range plans to increase services to the community, and part of those plans involves the hiring of a part-time executive director that will dedicate their efforts to increasing revenue and services to the community within the building.
The referendum is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Malakwa Fire Hall. Advanced voting is on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the CSRD office in Salmon Arm.
If you should have any questions regarding the process around voting, please contact the deputy manager of corporate administration, Carolyn Black at the CSRD at 250-832-8194. If you have any questions regarding the financial implications, please contact the manager of financial services, Peter Jarman at 250-832-8194.
I want to thank all of the folks that took time out of their evening to attend. I appreciate hearing your concerns and questions. Please feel free to contact me if you require further information.
Contributed by Rhona Martin, Columbia Shuswap Regional District director for Area E (Rural Sicamous-Malakwa).