Council endorses expanded Family Day celebrations planned for Williams Lake
The City of Williams Lake's 2022 Family Day Celebration is receiving a bit of a boost.
During its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 11, Council approved up to $15,450 to be utilized from the City's Pandemic Fund (COVID Safe Restart Grant Funds) to the Community Services Department Family Day budget for this year's celebrations planned for February21, 2022.
Staff will be directed to develop a plan and implement planned activities in local park settings, concluding the Family Day Celebration with a Stampede Grounds bonfire, hotdogs and fireworks display.
Stacey Miranda, Director of Community Services, said in her report to Council that family recreation opportunities have been severely impacted by the pandemic, resulting in the idea for the one-time expansion of this year's Family Day.
The event would focus on activities in Boitanio Park and Kiwanis Park in the afternoon, followed by the evening celebration at the Stampede Grounds. Miranda noted the entire day will be free of charge for all participants and will follow all Provincial Health Office regulations and guidelines.
Activities throughout the day will include snow park activities in Boitanio Park such as snowshoeing, snowperson building and rail activities, along with hot cocoa, activity stations for snow painting, snow sculpting and snowperson building in Kiwanis Park.
The City's 2022 Family Day Celebrations will also feature free swimming and free skating at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Council updates Municipal Alcohol Policy for events
Council authorized a new Municipal Alcohol Policy, which will replace its aging Special Events Application Policy to no longer require a Council resolution in order for a liquor permit to be authorized.
Instead, a designate can now be utilized to enhance efficiency of the permit process for Special Events Permits. The new policy will cover all special events that request an alcohol service on any municipally-owned or operated property.
Family Literacy Week proclaimed
The week of January 23-29, 2022 as been proclaimed 'Family Literacy Week' in the City of Williams Lake.
In addition, 'Family Literacy Day' on January 27 has been formally declared by the City.
Melissa Hermiston of Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society told Council in a letter the CCPL will be undertaking its annual Reach-A-Reader campaign in an effort to promote literacy as an essential tool for living, impacting employment, citizenship, overall health and wellness and personal enjoyment.
In the proclamation, Mayor Walt Cobb said the City recognizes reading, writing and other basic literacy skills of all British Columbians are vital to social and economic development as a province.
The proclamation also notes family literacy programs ensure children have the best possible environment forgetting a head start on life-long learning, and also acknowledged the tireless work of the CCPL in promoting literacy and literacy awareness in Williams Lake.