Recent History – 2005
By Brad Lyon, March 2005
A new Community Heritage Commission will be an important step towards the preservation and expansion of the city’s historical base. At its regular Monday meeting, Dawson Creek city council gave the first three readings to a bylaw that establishes the commission.
Creating the group was one of the recommendations that came out of the recent “Let’s Get Organized” workshop hosted recently in Dawson Creek.
“The long-term plan is for the preservation and conversation of existing heritage structures, like the museum and the pioneer village,” said Gerry Clare, a member of the city’s Heritage Steering Committee, and a historical columnist with the Daily News. “There are also plans for promoting more heritage things in the community, and to get more children involved in heritage experiences.”
The commission will consist of seven members, including one city councillor, one member of the South Peace Historical Society, and five members of the public.
In a report to council, the steering committee – which includes Clare, Sally Caisley, and Tourism Dawson Creek’s Ryan MacIvor – recommended that among the first tasks for the Heritage Commission should be the development of a 5-10 year strategic plan, and the creation of a community heritage register of publicly-owned buildings.
Once that is completed, Clare said that there is a lot of maintenance work that needs to be done.
“There’s a shopping list of maintenance things that the Historical Society can’t afford to do on its own,” Clare said. For example, Clare said, the museum’s basement is 70 years old, and has a number of leaks. And several buildings at the pioneer village need maintenance. Mayor Wayne Dahlen said that the creation of the commission is a good decision.
“I think this is a step in the right direction. It should go a long way to making sure we restore and look after the heritage we have in our city,” Dahlen said.