Our Ministry and our maintenance contractors think the communities we live and work in are a big deal, which is why we work hard to support them and lend a helping hand whenever we can. Our unique skills and resources put us in the position of being able to design, engineer and build special projects in our communities – projects that make a difference. We have been collectively volunteering in our communities for years, but recently, our volunteer movement has begun to gain real momentum.
By working closely with our maintenance contractors across the province we have been able to accomplish a lot this year and that is something we take great pride in. In fact, you might recall us talking recently about the amazing spirit of volunteerism which took hold in rebuilding the Little Fort Community Ball Field, a real home run in volunteer spirit.
Below you will find a list of volunteer improvements underway or already complete in 28 locations around the province. All are making a huge difference to the people and the communities involved.
| Community | Volunteer Accomplishment | Maintenance Contractor (Volunteers) |
|---|---|---|
| Galiano Island | Improving public access to Bluff park overlooking Galiano Island – Adding gravel to parking, grading, drainage improvements, barrier and delineation for parking. Thanks to Mainroad South Vancouver Island for their help. | Mainroad South Vancouver Island |
| Regional District of Nanaimo-Nanoose Bay | Upgrading existing bus stops in the Nanoose Bay area. | Emcon Services |
| Hornby Island Trail Committee | Building a 300 m2 gravel parking lot at head of the main trail on Hornby Island for 10 vehicles. | Emcon Services |
| Village of Pemberton | Providing a picnic table and park bench at the Pemberton Community Centre Park. | Mainroad Howe Sound |
| Powell River Regional District | Constructing a community trail along Yaroshuk Right of Way off Nootka Road allowing local residents access to the extensive crown land trail network beyond. | Capilano Hwy Service |
| South Langley | Building shelters and contributing supplies for the care and feeding of the animals in the shelter of the Critter Care Wildlife Society. | Mainroad Contracting |
| Boston Bar Historical Society | Improving of access to the site of the old aerial cable ferry in Boston Bar, including improving wheelchair access. | Emil Anderson Contracting |
| Penticton | Improving safety by upgrading a walkway vertical clearance under Eckhardt Avenue bridge on Highway 97. | Argo Road Maintenance |
| Greenwood | Removing the old bridge and installing a new bridge in Greenwood | Emcon Services |
| Silverton | Improving the existing pullout on the north side of bridge on Hwy 6 in Silverton including: gravelling, picnic table and landscaping. | Yellowhead Road & Bridge |
| Cranbrook / Kimberly | Rails to Trails Site – Adding a parking area for users of the site and updated the entry into the site in Wycliffe; as well as adding a culvert at the entrance to parking area, signs to direct users to site and no-posts to better define the area and protect the trail from motorized vehicles. | Mainroad Contracting |
| Golden/ Revelstoke | Upgrading the parking area and trail access at the Revelstoke Nordic club and the Golden Nordic Club. Hydro poles were also moved at the Golden Club. | HMC Services |
| Cherryville | Repairs and painting in the Hanson Park picnic area. | Argo Road Maintenance |
| Spences Bridge | Landscaping, painting, and general cleanup as well as adding two picnic tables at Steelhead Society Park | VSA Highway Maintenance |
| Little Fort Community Group | Reconstructing of the ball diamond, install underground sprinklers and sod the field. | Argo Road Maintenance (Thompson) Inc |
| 100 Mile House | Adding a new picnic area with tables to the Felker Homestead site. | Interior Roads Ltd |
| Alexis Creek | Supplying and installing sixnew picnic tables for the community hall at Alexis Creek. Ten new picnic tables were also installed at the 150 Mile Community Hall. | Interior Roads Ltd |
| Quesnel | A variety of work in Hixon, including: gravelling a church parking lot, replacing a culvert with a pedestrian bridge and patching existing pavement at the local community hall. | HMC Services |
| Bear Lake | Widening, gravelling and improving drainage on community trails in Bear Lake. | Yellowhead Road and Bridge Ltd |
| McBride | Improving the community park in McBride including landscaping and improving the existing trails. | Lakes District Maintenance |
| Rolla | Landscaping and cleanup of a school in Rolla. | Caribou Road Services |
| Montney Hall | Improving Community Hall in Montney – Landscaping the picnic area and upgrading fire pit as well as installing picnic tables. | Yellowhead Road and Bridge |
| Fraser Lake | Upgrading and improving a walking trail from a Senior facility to the downtown area. | Yellowhead Road and Bridge |
| Granisle | Brushing and gravelling of a community trail in the Granisle area. | Lakes District Maintenance |
| Moricetown | Upgrades to a popular pull-out on Highway 16 in at Moricetown Canyon by gravelling, replace railings, and installing a picnic table. | Billabong Road and Bridge |
| Terrace | Improving another pullout on Highway 16 just west of Terrace. New picnic tables, trails and garbage facilities were installed. | Nechako Northcoast |
| Port Clements | Building a community church parking area adjacent to Bayview Road. | O’Brien Road and Bridge Maintenance Ltd |
| Dease Lake | Upgrading access into the Community Recreation Centre (Ice arena) by grading and gravelling the access and parking lot. | Lakes District Maintenance |
Ghandi said: “the best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
The simple act of giving when others need help builds a legacy we can truly be proud of. Volunteering not only builds community, it builds connections – something British Columbians really understand. No effort is too big or too small. It truly is amazing what can be accomplished when like minded people come together to make a difference. Thank you for your volunteering spirit!
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