Edgewater to Vote on New Commercial Space Service Next Month

Eligible voters in the Edgewater and Spur Valley area will decide next month on a proposed new commercial space service aimed at relocating the local post office. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is preparing for a public information meeting to provide residents with detailed insights about this initiative before the voting day.

Roberta Schnider, the Director for Electoral Area G, stated that the community has long advocated for a new post office location. This push comes after a structural engineer assessed the current building and identified significant deterioration and signs of distress. “Providing a space for the post office has been a board priority since the assessment,” Schnider noted.

Following extensive discussions with provincial authorities, the RDEK is now working to establish the Edgewater Commercial Space Service, contingent upon voter approval. The public information meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2023, at 19:00 at the Edgewater Community Hall. During this session, RDEK staff will present various aspects of the proposed service, including its structure, costs, and the electoral assent process. There will also be a question-and-answer segment following the presentations.

“Our goal is to ensure eligible electors have all the information they need to make informed choices on voting day,” Schnider added. She encouraged a strong turnout at the meeting, emphasizing its importance for community engagement.

In addition to the public meeting, the RDEK is preparing an information package to distribute to property owners within the service area. If regular postal services resume, the package will be mailed directly to residents. If not, hard copies will be made available at strategic locations in the community and upon request from the RDEK. A project webpage is also being created to serve as a central hub for information regarding the proposed service.

The initiative aims to construct a space that can be leased to Canada Post and its employees for postal operations. Additionally, the facility could be leased to other entities that provide community-benefiting services.

The General Assent Vote is set for November 22, 2023, with an advance voting opportunity on November 12, 2023. Residents are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process that could significantly impact their community’s service infrastructure.