Revenue is up but attendance is down at Nakusp Hot Springs.
Director of recreation and parks Terry Welsh said during the village council meeting on Aug. 27 that the hot springs brought in $129,000 in revenue during the month of July.
The revenue being generated is attributed to increase in rates and overnight occupancy along with overnight passes and more full-day passes over single swim passes. Welsh said they are expecting to see a significant drop in August due to the smoke and fires in the area.
Other council business included:
• The village is now part of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) wildfire mitigation service, pending approval from the RDCK board.
Once it has been passed taxpayers will see $0.82 per $100,000 of property value added to their property taxes. The program includes improvements to wildfire response and mitigation, FireSmart programs, an operational fuel treatment program and fuel treatment planning.
• Director of operations Bart Chanuz let council know that the expansion of the North Road service is well on its way to completion with a estimated end date in early September. This also applies to the work being done on Nakusp East Road, which will remain closed to all but local traffic until completion of the project.
• Recreation and parks has purchased a new ride-on mower for $44,000, which was under budget. A snow blower will be rented and tested out by Public Works this year, and depending on how that goes the Village will look at buying it.
• Due to some complaints from a resident of 16th Avenue, there was discussion about the possibility of blocking access to the beach at the mouth of the Kuskanax.
Fire chief Terry Warren has no issues with people going down and camping in the area. Warren feels it is a favourite spot for responsible locals, which outweighs the few who abuse it. Mayor Karen Hamling is planning on visiting the area and until she has done so has moved the decision to the next meeting.
• The removal of “The Apple Tree” on the waterfront was a hot topic in the last days of August. It’s removal came following discussion of it’s habit of attracting bears. There was no opposition to the plan.
• Treasurer and deputy Clerk Mark Tennant is now the fourth signing authority for the Village of Nakusp, as well as deputy financial officer and deputy corporate officer. Anna-Marie Hogg has been named deputy chief election officer for this fall’s election, while CAO Laurie Taylor is the chief election officer.
• The Rotary Club and Village of Nakusp are working together on the playground project, which Rotary is actively fundraising for. The Village plan to remove the current playground soon.