COSAR could see some funding for new search and rescue facility – Okanagan

The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue crew has outgrown its present area, which is positioned on the Kelowna airport.

“We’d actually admire a safe facility the place we are able to hold our gear protected, ideally in a central location,” mentioned COSAR spokesperson Edward Henczel.

“We want some place that’s really suited to the 55 members we have now. We now have an outhouse and a rest room for 55 members. We will’t drink the water in our present location.”

Through the years, the ability has seen quite a few break-ins, with the newest one taking place in September of 2022.

Upkeep employees found the home windows had been smashed out of a utility car with a number of objects lacking.

“These incidents communicate to our want for a brand new constructing with a safe location for COSAR’s gear. As our providers have expanded, we have now run out of safe storage for our tools and issues like our command unit and the trailer must be left exterior,” COSAR president Brad Trites mentioned in a 2022 press launch.

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 finances and it seems like COSAR might lastly see some much-needed {dollars} head its method.

“At this level the regional board has expressed and need for the regional district to help Central Okanagan Search and Rescue in looking for a brand new location, recognizing the state of affairs it’s in,” mentioned RDCO communications officer Bruce Smith.

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Nothing is assured as a part of the capital draft finances 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 loads much less. The truth is, COSAR might now be getting almost $6 million greater than it requested, cash that may roll out over that three-year span.

“I feel we requested for $1.9 million to assist us with that, so the present numbers are a bit completely different however once more, we’re not able to ask for something. Any assist we get from the Regional District is simply superb,” mentioned Henczel.

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The regional board will likely be discussing the primary draft of this finances on Thursday with the ultimate finances approval coming in March.

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