The village received provincial recognition and $1,000 for being an Age-Friendly Community.
The announcement was made Monday at the regular council meeting.
“I’ve looked into this and we are the only ones to receive this recognition in the Regional District. These initiatives are important for the people that they help to stay active and helps us with funding requests to other projects,” Mayor Manfred Bauer said.
Work began on making Keremeos more accessible and inclusive about eight years ago.
In 2015, the village’s efforts became much more focused on becoming an ‘age-friendly’ community.
An assessment was completed in July of that year and a plan approved the following October to complete several projects in the community that improve living conditions for all.
Several initiatives have taken place including putting in benches and solar lights on the trail through Keremeos, age-friendly exercise equipment installed. There was also an ICBC grant received to buy a speed-reader to slow vehicles in an attempt to improve pedestrian safety.
Over the summer the children’s playground saw several upgrades to improve accessibility for all caretakers.
In the village office the reception area was widened to accommodate electric scooters and other mobility aids.
Upcoming are the construction of curb flares along Highway 3. The flares will be put in during the replacement of the water main underneath the highway in spring 2018.
“The village is committed to continuing their age-friendly and accessibility efforts, and is now working with the Rick Hansen Foundation and other granting agencies to ensure that Village-owned properties become increasingly welcoming and easily accessible to all,” the report presented to council Monday stated.
The $1,000 received from the province will be put towards a future age-friendly project.