RDKB says demolition underway for two homes damaged by Boundary Floods
By RDKB
Earlier this fall, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Board approved a plan for demolishing two homes, one on Almond Gardens Road East and one on Danish Road in Electoral Area ‘D’/Rural Grand Forks. The properties had been ordered evacuated since May 2018 due to catastrophic flooding.
During December’s RDKB Board Meeting, it was said the homes are largely unsalvageable and on actively eroding land falling into the Kettle River, posing an immediate and ongoing environmental risk if the houses were to topple.
The home on Danish Road has now been safely demolished and disposed of according to environmental regulations. Land closest to Kettle River has been recontoured and will be planted to resist further erosion.
This Almond Gardens Road home will be deconstructed imminently, with any salvageable building materials transferred to the property owner.
Estimated cost for the two projects is $300,000. All work is funded through Emergency Management BC and scheduled to be completed before winter.
Welcomes and well wishes
The Board welcomed Paul Keys to the RDKB as the new Manager of Facilites and Recreation in Grand Forks. Paul brings with him 11 years of experience in the recreation field. He spent five years serving as a Recreation Director for the small town of Kamsack, Saskatchewan, before heading 45 minutes down the road to Yorkton. There he spent the past six years serving as General Manager of the Gallagher Centre, one of the premier recreation facilities in Saskatchewan.
“When the RDKB offered me an opportunity to further my career in recreation in an exciting and new environment, our whole family jumped at it.”
Paul loves the outdoors, including golf, skiing, and spending time with his wife Leanne and their three daughters. They are all excited to be in the Boundary and enjoy all that it has to offer.
The Board also welcomed Barb Ihlen, the new General Manager of Finance.
Born and raised in the West Kootenay/Boundary region, Barb worked for nine years with Selkirk College as Executive Director of Finance & Ancillary Services. Barb also has a combined eight years of experience working for the RDCK and the City of Castlegar, a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a CPA designation, and is currently completing her MBA focusing on Social Enterprise Leadership. Her work experience and education is enhanced by her emergency management skills, which she has developed over the last 20 years within the local search and rescue community.
“The role of GM Finance is perfectly aligned with my passions, skills and all the ways I most love to serve communities. I am excited to be here with a great staff, and to share my experience and knowledge with the RDKB.”
It’s definitely the end of an era with the upcoming retirement of Dan Van Coughnett from the RDKB Facilities and Maintenance Team in Trail this December 2019.
“Dan Van” has been the RDKB Building Maintenance/Carpenter for the last 27 years, keeping offices, facilities and all manner of RDKB property functional and in good repair. Dan’s compassionate manner, superior skills and ready humour have been a boon for all RDKB staff and for CUPE Local 2254 where he has contributed his time and expertise in pursuit of a great workplace for all.
The RDKB Board and staff would like to thank Van Coughnett and hopes he can enjoy the years of freedom and months of warm weather in your very near future.
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