Lori Spencer, 70 Mile Arena Committee lead, said the committee will be receiving more grant money, including $10,000 from Clinton and Community Forest and $5,000 from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
“So we will be putting in water hydrants and a manure pit with blocks, and paddocks for overnight camping.”
Spencer added the committee is happy to report people are requesting memberships so they can ride in the arena.
However, she noted the recent rain has been hard on the arena floor.
“But it’ll dry quickly and we will harrow it.”
Once that’s done riders will be able to use the arena.
Still time to apply for $500 bursary
There is still time to send in an application for the 70 Mile & Area Community Fund bursary.
The $500 bursary is available for continuing education or skills training of residents of Watch Lake, Pressy Lake, 70 Mile House, 83 Mile and surrounding areas.
People who have a close connection to this area will also be considered for a bursary. The bursary can be used by any student, young or old, for further education or skills training.
Proof of registration for an upcoming course will be required. To apply, write a letter of 300-500 words stating your goals, education plans and your connection with the area. Include any volunteer, extra-curricular activities and community service.
Send an application by June 15, 2024, to the 70 Mile & Area Fund, c/o S. Wheeler; Box 29; 70 Mile House, B.C.; VOK 2K0.
For information, email seventymilecommunity@outlook.com
The bursary started after 70 Mile Elementary School was closed in 2000. There was more than $3,000 left in the Parent Advisory Committee and the 70 Mile Trackers (Cross-country Ski Club) accounts, which were held by the Seventy Mile Access Centre (SMAC) Society until school volunteers figured out what they wanted to do with the money.
In 2011, a group was formed to find a way to start handing out bursaries, and the members talked to the Kamloops Foundation, which offered guidance and suggested the members talked to the Kamloops Foundation, which suggested the group apply to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) for funding.
The 70 Mile Community Fund Society was formed and the money was put into the Kamloops Foundation, now called the BC Interior Community Foundation, (BCICF) which invested the funds.
With donations, the fund jumped up to $9,000. NDIT doubled the amount and within four years, the society had $19,151.
This allowed the society to provide an annual bursary for people in the school’s catchment area using just the interest made on the money put into the foundation.
Needing a third party to start handing out a bursary, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) came on board and the fund was administered under the 70 Mile and Area Community Fund Society’s mandate and started giving out bursaries in 2013.
At first, the bursary was $300, but now it has been bumped up to $500 bursaries.
There have been 23 bursaries of various amounts and one grant given out since 2013 because sometimes the group had more than one applicant and the funds were available.
Group secretary Sue Wheeler said in the years they don’t have students apply for bursaries, the group will consider providing funding to a fire department or other community clubs.
To learn more, join the society, or to donate, email for information to seventymilecommunityfund@outlook.com
