Funds that were acquired for the completion of a civic centre in Harrison Hot Springs will be redirected to a different project, now that the centre is on hold.
The Village received a grant for $400,000 from the Community Recreation Program Grant. However, last Monday council voted unanimously on a "re-scope" that will see an upgrade to the beachfront washroom and change room facility.
Coun. Sonja Reyerse noted that the money is a "use it or lose it" grant. She also suggested that a cultural component, possibly First Nations artwork, could be included in the final planning.
Coun. Zoltan Kiss suggested the money instead be used at the boat launch washroom area, but later voted in favour of the initial staff recommendation.
The staff report says the civic centre is on hold with no immediate plans for development, and the grant needs to be spent by Mar. 31, 2015. The grant is based on the 80/20 model, meaning the Village will have to pay 20 per cent of the total cost of the project, while the province supplies 80 per cent, through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Staff said the new scope falls under the guidelines of the grant.