Kaslo council has decided to host an open house for the public to discuss the South Beach RV park proposal, likely to be scheduled sometime in late August.
The last and only open house regarding the development was in November 2023, and was hosted by the proponent.
“Having an opportunity for our residents to speak with [council] – that isn’t presented by the developer – would only be fruitful,” said Councillor Matthew Brown.
Councillor Robert Lang countered, saying he was “dead set against it.” He said some public opinions he’s read lately have turned him off to the idea of an open house.
“I’ve read the letters. I’ve talked to different people about their thoughts – some for, some against – and I’ve got all the information I need,” he said.
Councillor Molly Leathwood said council has received ample feedback from residents over the course of 20 months. She also said that there isn’t any new information about the proposal to share with the public. If there were, she’d be more in support of an open house.
Councillor Erika Bird was in support, saying it’s an opportunity for dialogue between council and the public – listening, asking questions, hearing all sides.
Mayor Suzan Hewat agreed. It would be dedicated time for council to listen to the public. She also noted that the Village would need to give some thought to the format of the open house, to make sure it’s productive and achieves what council hopes for.
The vote was 3-2 in favour of an open house, with Hewat as tiebreaker.
The Village will also issue a public-facing document to correct some of the misinformation circulating about the proposal. The document will be released in July, ahead of the open house tentatively scheduled for some time in August.
Radon results are in
Epidemiologist and Simon Fraser University professor Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol presented the results of the Take Action on Radon test kit challenge, which saw 100 free radon test kits distributed to Kaslo residents to measure radon levels in their homes.
Radon is a naturally occurring, odourless radioactive gas that comes from the soil: as uranium deposits break down, radon is released. Wherever a building is in contact with the ground – basements and ground floors, for example – radon gas can seep into the structure and circulate further around the building.
Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and greatly increases the risk for smokers, said Nicol. Health Canada estimates over 3,000 Canadians per year die of radon-related lung cancer.
Take Action on Radon is a national program started to increase awareness: 50 per cent of Canadians still don’t understand that radon is a serious exposure, she said.
Kaslo participated in the initiative this year, with 60 households completing the 91-day test this winter, or about 13 per cent of the community’s dwellings.
Health Canada’s guidelines suggest taking action if radon levels exceed 200 becquerels per cubic metre; Nicol reported that 60 per cent of the tested Kaslo households had levels over 200.
To best lower radon levels, Nicol recommended hiring a certified radon mitigation professional. Radon mitigation systems can be installed in less than a day, and can reduce levels by more than 80 per cent in most homes.
Though B.C. doesn’t have any programs to subsidize mitigation costs, the Canadian Lung Association recently launched a new grant program for seniors and low-income households. Individuals who work from home can also receive a tax credit for testing their workspaces.
Nicol also works for BC Cancer. Individuals with test results above 800 are eligible for a low-dose CT scan to assess lung health. She said early detection of lung cancer is the best way to keep people alive; after five years, the survival rate drops to 15 per cent.
Visit takeactiononradon.ca for more information, or email Nicol at anicol@sfu.ca.
Check out the BC Centre for Disease Control interactive radon map at bccdc.shinyapps.io/bcradonmap.
UV treatment
Filtrum Inc. will construct and install the UV treatment system at the water treatment plant for $377,400, excluding applicable taxes.
The scope of work includes installing the UV disinfection equipment; metal stairway upgrades; testing, commissioning, and training on the new equipment; and replacing control system electronics. Work will begin this winter, when water demand is lowest, and is set to end February 2026.
The Village received one other submission from Stephen Engineering Associates for $432,906, plus GST. Submissions were evaluated by Kerr Wood Leidel, consulting engineers hired last year to design the project and provide technical advice.
Sourcing local
Prospective contractors for Village projects valued $75,000 or more must now include a local engagement plan in their bids. The plan must outline how they will: source materials or services locally, when feasible; hire local workers or subcontractors; and partner with local social enterprises or diverse suppliers. Contractors must also seek at least one quote from a local business, and document efforts to engage local suppliers.
While the Village can’t mandate that contractors purchase only local supplies – this could violate principles of free and open competition – it can encourage local sourcing through incentives, education, and policies, as long as it doesn’t outright exclude non-local suppliers.
