The Regional District of Central Kootenay will celebrate its 50th birthday on Nov. 30 and to celebrate, it’s offering the public a 50 cent drop-in fee at four of its recreation centres.
“This is our way of symbolizing and honouring this special day, as well as thanking RDCK residents,” said board chair Karen Hamling.
Back in 1965, the newly-created RDCK employed two staff and had an annual budget of $39,000. Today, the organization employs approximately 350 people and has a budget of $55 million.
“We’ve grown and evolved over the past 45 years to reflect the needs and wants of our public,” said Hamling. “Today, we deliver 165 services in the most cost-efficient, quality manner we can.”
The RDCK offers a wide range of services throughout the region, such as emergency management, water systems, waste management, recreation, planning, fire protection and grants.
The RDCK also has the following activities planned to commemorate its 50th milestone:
• a quiz titled “How Well Do You Know Your RDCK?” with a prize pack for the winner;
• the dedication of a time capsule, which will be opened in 2065;
• the planting of 50 trees on RDCK land throughout the region in spring 2016;
• the creation of a virtual scrapbook, which will document photos and memories of former and current RDCK employees and elected officials.
“RDCK elected officials and staff consider it a privilege serving our communities and working with you,” said Hamling. “We are proud to be the Central Kootenay’s regional government.”