RDKB approves 10-year agreement for Christina Lake Welcome Centre
The Christina Lake Welcome Centre at 1675 Highway 3. The RDKB board has approved a 10-year operating agreement with the Christina Gateway Community Development Association for the regional district-owned facility.
Photo: Christina Lake Tourism
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has approved a 10-year operating agreement with the Christina Gateway Community Development Association for the Christina Lake Welcome Centre.
The RDKB board approved the Facility Stewardship and Operating Agreement on Aug. 26, authorizing staff to execute the deal with the association, which already manages and operates the facility.
Under the agreement, Christina Gateway will remain the exclusive day-to-day operator and steward of the RDKB-owned Welcome Centre. Its responsibilities include managing tenants and bookings, providing community access, cleaning and landscaping, routine maintenance and coordinating improvements to the building.
The agreement also allows Christina Gateway to identify and pursue grants and other funding opportunities for improvements. Projects affecting the structure, footprint or long-term value of the building require RDKB approval.
The regional district will remain the owner and capital asset manager for the facility. Gateway will work with the RDKB’s Manager of Facilities to identify, prioritize and coordinate major maintenance and capital projects, including structural repairs, roof replacement, septic and HVAC systems, building-envelope repairs, utilities and parking improvements.
RDKB staff said in their report that the agreement has no financial implications and is intended to reflect the working relationship already in place while clarifying the roles of the two organizations.
Any operating surplus generated through the Welcome Centre can be retained by Christina Gateway and used for facility operations and improvements, reserves, community programming, economic development activities or other purposes consistent with the association’s mandate.
The agreement calls for representatives of the two organizations to meet at least once a year to review operations, anticipated maintenance and capital requirements and annual budgets.
The initial term is 10 years. After that, the agreement will automatically renew in successive five-year terms unless either party gives at least 24 months’ written notice that it does not intend to renew.
Either party may terminate the agreement for a material breach that remains unremedied for 120 days after written notice. Except in cases of material breach, insolvency or mutual agreement, the RDKB must provide at least 24 months’ written notice of termination.
The agreement posted with the RDKB agenda lists an effective date of Aug. 1, although its term provision says it begins Sept. 1. The public copy was signed by Christina Gateway representatives on Aug. 11, while its RDKB signature lines were blank.
The RDKB owns the Welcome Centre at Christina Lake, which also houses the community’s Visitor Information Centre.
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