By Camille Aubin
[email protected]

Radium Hot Springs councillors discussed hospital tax requisition highlights, the new BC Hydro infrastructure program agreement, and an e-bus expansion application during their meeting held by Zoom on Wednesday, May 26.

According to mayor Clara Reinhardt, taxes for the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) are increasing for good reason: “We are looking to build a new cancer treatment center in Cranbrook, so we don’t have to worry about people flying to Kelowna or driving to Kelowna in the winter. We want a cancer center in Cranbrook and so that’s where that money is going,” explained Reinhardt adding that some of the increased revenue from higher taxes will also go to elder care.

“We were the last hospital district in the province to get involved in supporting long-term, extended care treatment, and residences for the elderly and I’m very happy and very proud to be a part of (now getting it),” she said.

“Interior Health is currently working on a business plan for the Green Home, a long-term care home in Cranbrook. If the project goes forward, it will see a complete rebuild of the structure and an increase in the number of beds from 60 to 130 (adding 70 new beds). The KERHD’s share of that project is currently estimated to be $24 million,” read KERHD documents.

Another charging station

Radium Hot Springs might soon be the host of a second direct current fast charging (DCFC) station for electric vehicles (Evs). If it comes to fruition, it will be located at 4863 Stanley Street.

Provincial organization CleanBC is aiming to provide electric car driver with more public EV charging stations, in an effort to improve perceptions surrounding the feasibility of getting around solely by EV. The cost of the second charging station will be entirely funded by the province of B.C. and the federal government.

“My thought is it’s going to be happening more and more, and the grants are going to eventually stop. So as long as there’s a grant and we’re being invited to receive that grant, I think that’s great. I think we should because, eventually, those aren’t going to be there, and we are going to have more of a need,” expressed councillor Mike Gray.

Cost and installation are taken care of by BC Hydro, explained Radium chief administrative officer Mark Read, noting that “The hosts (the village of Radium, in this case) do have responsibilities to maintain the parking space and the surrounding area, to report when there’s damage done, but our responsibilities are relatively minimal.”

The council approved Reinhardt’s request to follow through with a letter outlining the village’s approval of the project.

Intercity buses through Radium?

A new Ebus expansion application was discussed, which, if undertaken, could link Radium Hot Spring to Golden or Calgary. “So there’s a private contractor that wants to provide some services in and out of the valley, and they’re looking for a signature for agreement and like we’re supporting them in principle,” explained Reinhardt.

Ebus is a Alberta-based motorcoach company which launched in 2018 and, since expanded its inter-city bus services to many B.C. municipalities, including Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, and the Lower Mainland. The Columbia Valley has been without regular public transport to Calgary and the Lower Mainland since Greyhound shut down most of its B.C. passenger routes several years ago.

“Our brief history in B.C. has shown us that people in rural communities need our service. They need access to larger centers for things such as medical care, specialists, professional services and simply some times access to mini staycations,” wrote an Ebus spokesperson in a letter addressed to Read.

Gray said it’s a lovely idea, but added he isn’t convinced that the project is viable. “We always seem to talk about how we’re going to get people in and out of the valley, and as soon as we do, we spend a lot, and it never happens. But if they (Ebus) don’t ask (us) for money and they figure out a way, I’m all about supporting them,” he said.

Councillor Todd Logan said that it may seem that there are not many people using inter city public bus service, but those that do use it truly need it, adding “I do kind of like that maybe that connector from Cranbrook through to Golden would maybe come in as well, in a later date. And that’s another big piece that would help…I’d be supportive of it for sure.”

Councillors agreed to send a letter supporting the initiative.