The regional district announced additional funding from the Ministry of Agriculture for the Loose Bay Campground, near Oliver.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / RDOS
May 22, 2020 - 10:50 AM
Funding from the Ministry of Agriculture should save the regional district some money for extra staffing required at Loose Bay Campground near Oliver which provides a place to live for agricultural workers.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen announced funding support from the ministry in the amount of $60,000 today, May 22, to help cover costs associated with hiring a regional district COVID-19 coordinator. The money will also help provide cleaning and hygiene measures, printing of educational materials and signage.
“Domestic temporary workers are designated essential service and they are a crucial and appreciated resources in maintaining part of the food supply system,” RDOS Chair Karla Kozakevich says in the release. “Providing seasonal accommodations at Loose Bay Campground helps agricultural workers remain safe and available for service."
Loose Bay Campground is a seasonal facility located north of Oliver, historically dedicated to providing a campground for temporary domestic agricultural workers.
The campground was run by a society until late April, when it dissolved due to complexities involved in running the operation during COVID-19 restrictions.
Money for the site manager and caretaker positions are paid through campground revenue, but the new co-ordinator’s position would have been wholly funded through an existing service area budget without the additional ministry funding announced this morning.
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