The Sonora Community Centre roof was the hot topic of conversation when Town of Osoyoos Council met Monday afternoon at Town Hall.

The roof is leaking, the rainy season is here, and the Sonora Centre has issues.

At the Oct. 17th meeting of council, staff presented a budget amendment to allocate funds for the roof repair, with Council passing two resolutions to assist with the cost of completing the work.

An RFP (Request For Proposal) resulted in three proposals, and Council decided Monday to award the contract to Interior Roofing Ltd for a cost of $98,600 plus GST. Work will begin immediately and Interior Roofing has committed to completing the job by the end of the year.

In New Business matters, Council moved to continue its agreement with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, which sees the RDOS fund recreation and leisure activities for residents in Area A to the tune of $69,000 per year. The agreement is for five years. The funding will assist the community services department in programming activities for the community.

Council also received a report on the Gyro Park Pier and Foreshore Design Walkway Final Design.

“The entire Gyro Park and entire waterfront area, including the marina, was part of a community charrette we did a few years ago. We involved several member of the community, business people, politicians and people that had an interest in it,” explained Councillor CJ Rhodes. “One of the top things was the development of our waterfront, and one of the components was the pier. It was the top priority and something this town really needed and part of our development. What we’re seeing now is part of that progress, We are in the final design of it.”

Rhodes adds the pier could be an economic driver getting boaters to dock in the downtown core, but he is adamant the development in more a community amenity than anything else.

Council also decided to move the money within the West Nile Reserve Fund to the Grant-in-Aid Program, which boosts community organizations.

“I just thought it would be better use of that $5,000,” said Rhodes, who moved the motion. “Our Grant-In-Aid Program is something we sponsor every year. Individuals or organizations in our community can apply for grant funding for specific programs. There’s a strong appetite with myself to see that fund kept up and improved every year because of the benefit to our residents.”

Osoyoos Council also approved funding for Music in the Park and will provide more than $8,800 to the popular summertime lakefront musical event.

-Dale Cory