COSAR could see some funding for new search and rescue facility – Okanagan | 24CA News
The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue workforce has outgrown its present house, which is positioned on the Kelowna airport.
“We would really appreciate a secure facility where we can keep our gear safe, ideally in a central location,” mentioned COSAR spokesperson Edward Henczel.
“We would like some place that’s actually suited for the 55 members we have. We have an outhouse and a bathroom for 55 members. We can’t drink the water in our current location.”
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Over the years, the ability has seen a lot of break-ins, with the newest one taking place in September of 2022.
Maintenance staff found the home windows had been smashed out of a utility car with a number of gadgets lacking.
“These incidents speak to our need for a new building with a secure location for COSAR’s gear. As our services have expanded, we have run out of secure storage for our equipment and things like our command unit and the trailer have to be left outside,” COSAR president Brad Trites mentioned in a 2022 press launch.
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Since 2019, COSAR has been asking the Regional District of Central Okanagan for monetary assist for a brand new facility.
And now, the regional board has launched its 2023 capital draft price range and it seems like COSAR may lastly see some much-needed {dollars} head its method.
“At this point the regional board has expressed and desire for the regional district to assist Central Okanagan Search and Rescue in trying to find a new location, recognizing the situation it’s in,” mentioned RDCO communications officer Bruce Smith.
Nothing is assured as a part of the capital draft price range however tentatively it has units apart $400,000 for this 12 months, $6 million for 2024 and one other $2 million for 2025.
Henczel says the unique request from COSAR was quite a bit much less. In reality, COSAR may now be getting practically $6 million greater than it requested, cash that will roll out over that three-year span.
“I think we asked for $1.9 million to help us with that, so the current numbers are a little different but again, we’re not in a position to ask for anything. Any help we get from the Regional District is just amazing,” mentioned Henczel.
The regional board will probably be discussing the primary draft of this price range on Thursday with the ultimate price range approval coming in March.
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