Keremeos council agreed Monday to provide funding for an off-leash dog park in Keremeos in the 2014 budget.
The project was originally included in this year’s budget, but was shelved after revised costs for the village’s new park washrooms tapped into reserve alotments for this year.
However, a 124 signature petition delivered to the village, along with an increasing perception that a dog park was a highly desired amenity amongst village residents convinced village staff to conduct further research and present another report to council regarding the matter.
Input from village residents indicated a desire for the dog park to be located on provincial highways property across from the sewage treatment plant, rather than on a piece of property owned by the village located behind Sixth Avenue east of Forner Crescent. Staff contacted the BC Transportation Financing Authority regarding the possibility of using the vacant land and are presently awaiting a reply. Staff also reported that liability costs to the village would not increase with the operation of a dog park.
Cost to construct the park would come from $10,552 alotted to the project now in the 2015 budget. The money would come from the Small Community Investment Fund reserve. Operating costs are expected to be under $1,000 per year.
“By most modern community standards, a dog park is considered to be a necessity today,” said Chief Administrative Officer Laurie Taylor.
Council agreed unanimously to fund the request this year at the April 21 regular meeting of council. Pending BCTFA approval, it is hoped the park will be operational by summer.