Requests for support for dog parks, sidewalk and sanitary sewer extensions, and sport and community events were received by city council for upcoming budget deliberations.
On the agenda for council's Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting were 17 public requests for the city's 2025 annual budget.
Council heard presentations from a number of individuals and groups who submitted requests, including Salmon Arm Museum & Heritage Association president Norma Harisch and R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum manager Susan Mackie, who asked for financial assistance for the removal of about 50 dead or dying trees. The work was estimated to cost $20,000.
Bill Laird, representing Tech-Crete Processors Ltd. and other businesses in the 13th Avenue SW industrial area, proposed updating design drawings for the extension of storm and sanitary sewer so that the project can be as "shovel ready as possible" for potential grant applications. Laird also said they would work with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society to write the applications.
"We are very sensitive to the fact that the community has limited funds and we don’t want to be a burden but, by the same token, we believe developing Salmon Arm is a team effort and we’re prepared to pay our way," said Laird.
Resident (and former city councillor) Ivan Idzan asked the city to allocate money towards building/completing a sidewalk on the north side of Auto Road SE, between the 20th and 25th Street SE intersections. While he doesn't live in the neighbourhood, Idzan said he travels that route to and from work and sees pedestrians, adults and children, walking along the road because there is no sidewalk. In addition to a sidewalk, he said there needs to be a crosswalk that allows safe crossing at 20th.
The Salmon Arm Folk Music Society submitted its grant renewal request for multi-year funding: $64,000 for 2025, $65,000 for 2026, $66,000 for 2027 and $67,000 for 2028.
Resident, mother and softball player Amy Vallarino offered a couple of requests for consideration. One was to remove several dead standing trees from a section of trail behind Ball Diamond 1 at William Baker Park, a.k.a. the Canoe Ball Diamonds. The second was a capital request for the installation of field lighting at Diamond 1.
"My proposal here is to do one field, see what happens, see if it reduces the scheduling burden on all of the teams that are using it, and then let that be a pilot for moving forward on other fields," said Vallarino, who estimated the cost per ball field at $17,500.
Council received a presentation from the owners of Cedar Crescent Mobile Home Park and the neighbouring Hidden Valley Campground and RV Park, requesting $25,000 for an engineering report needed to establish a local service area for the extension of city sanitary sewer.
While it did not make a presentation, the newly formed Shuswap Sports and Leisure Society asked the city for $5,000 to help the organization through its "start-up phase." In its application, the society noted one of it's most ambitious goals is the development of a new recreation centre for the Shuswap region.
Another request for financial support was received from the Salmon Arm Nature Bay Enhancement Society (SABNES), which is in the process of raising approximately $260,000 for the construction of a new boardwalk and viewing platform, to replace what was recently removed from the Salmon Arm Foreshore trail. SABNES asked the city for $50,000.
Organizers of the recent inaugural Shuswap Family Expo asked for the city's assistance with a stage, sound system and technical support for next year's event, scheduled for Sept. 27 at the fairgrounds.
Representing dog owners, resident Cory Day presented a couple of asks, including putting a minimum of $75,000 in the budget for the construction of a dedicated dog park. This ask also came with a request for land, a minimum of three acres, that could be a space where dogs could play and socialize in a healthy environment.
"The city continues to refer to the fairgrounds as a dog park…. even on the gate going in it says it’s not a dog park," said Day. "So the city truly only has one fenced and secured dog park which is Klahani Park and it is quite small…"
Another concern with the fairgrounds, Day added, has to do with "paraphernalia" being found and "little items that dogs are picking up and possibly eating and chewing and causing some health issues."
Day's second request was for the creation of a planning document for dog parks, "similar to the parks master plan," that would serve as a "gateway to understand what the community wants and what we would like to see built over time."
Another newly formed group, the Salmon Arm Men's Shed, asked for the city's help with finding a building that could serve as a "secure 'shed' – a space where members can come together for activities, community projects and social interaction." The group suggested the city-owned heritage building at 31 Hudson Ave. NE, the former home of the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre. Deputy Mayor Debbie Cannon noted that building was closed due to structural concerns.
The last request of the evening, from Downtown Salmon Arm (DSA) manager Jennifer Broadwell, was for partial funding for the installation of shade sails over the lawn and stage area at the Ross Street Plaza, and the seating area at the "People's Corner."
"Installing shade sails would provide much-needed protection from the sun, while also fostering more welcoming, enjoyable gathering spaces," said Broadwell, noting the DSA has a capital fund of $28,000 and the sails, including materials and labour, are estimated to cost $35,000 per location.
Council budget deliberations are scheduled to take place Dec. 2-3. For more information, visit salmonarm.ca.
