Moving day might be coming soon for Civic Plaza’s exercise equipment…but not just yet.
The Harrison Hot Springs village council has called on village staff to look further not re-purposing the Civic Plaza Observation Deck near the waterfront that normally an outdoor gym with an eight-piece exercise equipment set.
The proposal put forth during the Monday (October 5) meeting would have the equipment relocated to Spring Park and the observation deck would be fitted with tables and chairs matching the current outdoor village furniture. The project would have run up to $30,000, which would come from the the Resort Municipality Initiative beach and lagoon improvements budget.
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Coun. Gerry Palmer asked staff if the equipment would be in danger of being vandalized, given their proposed, more open location of Spring Park. Staff indicated the equipment was designed to be in public spaces and that wasn’t a prevailing concern.
Coun. Samantha Piper said puling the exercise equipment may invite unsavoury activity in the observation deck, particularly at night.
Since council voted to send the proposal back to staff, it will return, revised, to the table during a future council meeting.
In other council business, the council voted not to support an extended liquor license for Taco Rio, located on Hot Springs Road. An extended licence would have allowed the Mexican restaurant to serve alcohol from midnight to 2 a.m.
“To approve it would put residents in a position where they’re expecting an increase of the noise level in what is a pretty quiet residential neighbourhood,” said Coun. Michie Vidal.
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Coun. Palmer concurred, adding it would “set a bad precedent.”
Coun. Samantha Piper reported one of Harrison’s two resolutions was endorsed at the Union of B.C. Municipalities 2020 Convention late last month. The endorsed resolution asks the province to better address end-of-life management for waste mattresses and similar products such as child car seats and upholstered furniture.
Mayor Leo Facio wished the village a very happy Thanksgiving.
“It will be very different for many of us, but we have to stay the course,” Mayor Facio said. “Enjoy it in small groups. I believe our village has weathered this pandemic very well and conducted themselves appropriately with social distancing. We’ve done a fabulous job in Harrison Hot Springs overall. I personally haven’t heard of major outbreaks [locally] of any kind.”
The council approved the village office’s closure schedule. The office will close December 25 to New Year’s Day 2021. The office will re-open on Monday, January 4.
In an effort to curb COVID-19 spread, those who attend public meetings will be required to register their contact information. If you have symptoms of a cold or of COVID-19 (fever, coughing, fatigue), please stay home.