The City of Campbell River has approved four organizations within the city for up to $10,000 in grants this year to beautify their respective areas of town.
The annual Community Beautification Grants Program provides eligible organizations the opportunity to request funding from the city to make improvements that will beautify areas such as public streets and sidewalks and are generally issued to organizations like business improvement associations. The organizations must provide matching funding and outline the projects they wish to take on or continue each year in order to be approved for the funding.
This year, the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association has applied for the full $10,000 grant so they can construct more planer boxes – bringing their total to 39 along Highway 19A – as well as purchase and raise another 10 banners for their light posts.
The Pier Street Association has applied for $7,500 in funding to repair cracks in a planter, pressure wash all of the area’s sidewalks, renew the landscaping in a planer near the entrance to the wharf and purchase new benches for the sidewalk area along the waterfront.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association’s $8,733.96 application also involves pressure washing sidewalks and maintaining flower pots and planters, but also involves the purchase and installation of Christmas lights for Robert Ostler Park and decorative wrapping of four BC Hydro boxes near the Chevron station and Tyee Plaza.
The Willow Point BIA’s pitch is to purchase more hanging baskets for the lamp posts along the highway from Hilchey to Erickson, more Christmas lights, and hiring entertainment for Frank James Park during their annual Canada Day festivities.
The city has approved these funding requests in principal, pending public feedback, which they will accept over the next two weeks. Final approval will be decided at the June 25 meeting of council.